KINSHASA: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in eastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The outbreak has reported around 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths, with WHO warning the real figures may be higher due to uncertainty in tracking the spread.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there are “significant uncertainties” about infections and geographic spread.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, with no approved drugs or vaccines. So far, eight confirmed cases have been recorded in Bunia, Mongwalu, and Rwampara.

The virus has spread to Uganda, where two confirmed cases include one death of a 59-year-old man.

WHO has urged stronger surveillance, isolation measures, and emergency response coordination in DR Congo and Uganda, while advising against border closures.

Ebola, first identified in 1976, spreads through bodily fluids and has a fatality rate of about 50%.

This is the 17th outbreak in DR Congo, which last saw a major epidemic from 2018–2020 killing nearly 2,300 people.