-As Regional Leaders Meet in Kampala
KAMPALA, Uganda — The Bundibugyo virus outbreak in Central Africa is accelerating. The Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 22 new confirmed cases and two new deaths in the past 24 hours, as the epidemic expanded into three provinces, according to the latest situational report from Africa CDC.
Health authorities confirmed that the virus has now reached Nizi and Kilo Mission health zones in Ituri Province, as well as Miti Murhesa in South Kivu, marking the first time cases have been confirmed in South Kivu since the outbreak began.
As ofast weekend, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded 83 confirmed cases, 745 suspected cases, and 176 deaths among suspected cases across 11 health zones. Uganda has reported two imported cases in Kampala, including one death. One confirmed patient in Uganda remains under treatment and is stable.
In a direct push to contain the outbreak, Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya traveled to Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province, on May 21. He met with provincial authorities and response partners to review emergency priorities and strengthen coordination.
Simultaneously, Africa CDC, the World Health Organization, and the health ministries of the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan convened a two-day high-level coordination meeting in Kampala.
The gathering aims to harmonize cross-border operations, secure political commitments, and prevent wider regional spread. Uganda has suspended flights from the DRC, halted cross-border public transport for four weeks, and restricted weekly markets in high-risk border sub-counties. The government also banned large gatherings and cultural celebrations in border areas.
Schools may reopen only if they strictly follow Ministry of Health standard operating procedures, with nearby health facilities providing oversight. Other countries, including the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, and Rwanda, have imposed travel restrictions on anyone who has been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 to 30 days. On the ground, response teams face severe challenges.
In the DRC, only 21% of 1,603 listed contacts received follow-up. Seven health zones are affected, but only three are actively tracing contacts. Laboratories currently process just six samples per hour. More than half of collected samples remain backlogged, causing long turnaround times and forcing suspected cases to wait alongside confirmed patients. Authorities urgently need reagents and rapid diagnostic machines for point-of-care testing.
Infection prevention and control have not yet started at the community level, even around confirmed cases. Some confirmed patients refuse isolation because treatment facilities do not meet minimum standards. Health facilities also report stockouts of essential medical supplies, and a lack of ambulances hampers the transport of suspected cases. Three safe and dignified burials have been completed, and one remains ongoing in Rwampara.
However, officials say inadequate burial capacity and poor decontamination at health facilities continue to raise the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
Epidemiologists report that 43% of suspected cases still originate from Mongbwalu, the outbreak’s epicenter. However, the Rwampara health zone has recorded the highest number of confirmed cases: 31.
Of 290 samples collected so far, 171 have been tested, yielding 83 positives — a test positivity rate of 48.5%. Another 126 suspected cases remain in isolation awaiting laboratory confirmation. The Governor of Ituri has issued a public broadcast urging adherence to Ebola response measures. Awareness sessions have reached provincial officials, healthcare workers, teachers, taxi drivers, and family caregivers.
Five health facility infection prevention and control assessments are complete, and isolation capacity has improved with new beds, mattresses, two isolation tents, and rehabilitation work at HGR Bunia. Africa CDC recommends fast-tracking community health worker deployment to bridge gaps in contact tracing and active case finding. The agency also calls for urgent procurement of reagents and diagnostic machines to reduce turnaround times and clear the sample backlog.
“Community-level infection prevention activities must begin immediately,” the report states, adding that culturally appropriate messaging is essential to encourage compliance with response measures. The agency further urges partners to coordinate with peace and security teams to safely reach conflict-affected areas. The outbreak profile remains provisional and may be revised following ongoing epidemiological and laboratory investigations.
