KATHMANDU: At least 100 people have died in an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with more than 390 suspected cases, according to the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak an international public health emergency.

The current strain is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment.

Uganda has also reported two confirmed cases and one death, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

At least six Americans have been exposed in DR Congo, US media reported. One is believed to have symptoms, while others are considered high-risk contacts.

The CDC said it is supporting the “safe withdrawal” of a small number of Americans but has not confirmed details.

US authorities are also reportedly arranging quarantine transport, possibly to a US base in Germany, though this is unconfirmed.

The CDC said the overall risk to the US remains low but announced monitoring of travellers from affected regions, possible entry restrictions, expanded contact tracing, and increased hospital readiness.

The US has issued a Level Four travel advisory against travel to DR Congo.

The WHO warned the outbreak could be larger than currently detected and could spread regionally, urging stronger surveillance and preparedness in neighbouring countries, including cross-border screening.

Health officials stressed the importance of safe burial practices, warning that traditional funeral practices contributed to past outbreaks.

Rwanda has tightened border screening as a precaution, while Nigeria said it is closely monitoring the situation.

The 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak infected more than 28,600 people and killed 11,325 across several countries, including outside Africa.

The WHO has declared the current situation a public health emergency of international concern, though it does not meet the criteria for a pandemic.