An outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is spreading across parts of East Africa, raising international concern after claiming the lives of three humanitarian workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies confirmed that the three volunteers died while on assignment in the Djugu territory of Ituri province, which is currently the epicentre of the outbreak. The victims were identified as local Red Cross volunteers who contracted the virus during a mission before the outbreak had been officially detected.
According to reports, the volunteers died between early and mid-May after becoming infected during field activities that were not initially linked to Ebola. The organisation described their deaths as a tragic reminder of the risks faced by frontline health and humanitarian workers in unstable and hard-to-reach areas.
The outbreak has also crossed into neighbouring Uganda, where health authorities have confirmed new infections, bringing the total number of cases in the country to five. These include individuals linked to known contacts of earlier cases as well as a traveller from the DRC who later tested positive.
Health officials in Uganda are intensifying contact tracing and monitoring efforts as they work to contain further spread of the virus.
The World Health Organization has warned that the situation remains highly concerning, with hundreds of suspected cases and a rising death toll in the DRC. The organisation has also noted that insecurity, limited access to affected communities, and delayed detection are complicating response efforts.
International agencies, including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are supporting containment efforts alongside other global partners.
The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is particularly dangerous because there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for it, making early detection, isolation, and contact tracing the main tools for controlling the outbreak.
In response to the growing threat, several countries and international bodies have introduced travel and border screening measures, while emergency funding and medical support have been deployed to affected regions.
Health authorities across Africa, including in West Africa, are also monitoring the situation closely as part of broader preparedness efforts to prevent further cross-border spread.
Source: gbcghanaonline.com
