At least 100 people have been killed in Africa during the current Ebola Virus Disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has largely affected the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The outbreak continues to evolve rapidly, with increasing case numbers, geographic spread, and cross-border transmission to Uganda.
Local authorities, in collaboration with WHO and partners, are undertaking a wide-ranging package of response measures, including a joint Ebola continental preparedness and response plan with an ask of $518 million to support African countries.
There are no vaccines or medicines specifically against the current strain, and the disease spreads from person to person through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces or items.
Early symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat are non-specific, complicating clinical diagnosis and potentially delaying detection.
WHO has reassessed the risk of the outbreak, terming the risk in the DRC as very high due to ongoing transmission and the continued expansion of the outbreak into new health zones, but assessing the risk at the global level as low.
