Maseru, June 11 — The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported a sharp increase in cases of Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), while maintaining its assessment of the outbreak risk in the country as very high.
According to WHO’s latest update, 390 new confirmed cases and 74 additional deaths have been recorded since May 29. As of June 6, the DRC had registered a total of 515 confirmed cases and 91 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 17.7 percent.
WHO says the death toll could increase further as investigations continue into several deaths that occurred before the outbreak was officially declared. So far, 12 patients have recovered from the disease.
The outbreak remains concentrated in Ituri Province, which accounts for 94 percent of all confirmed cases. The most affected health zones include Bunia, Rwampara, Mongbwalu and Nyankunde.
Health authorities have also reported infections among 16 healthcare workers, raising concerns about the safety of frontline personnel and the growing pressure on health services in the affected areas.
WHO indicates that more than 5,000 contacts have been identified and are currently under monitoring across affected provinces.
However, the organisation notes that insecurity in some areas is affecting surveillance activities, contact tracing and response operations, increasing the possibility of undetected transmission.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Uganda has reported an additional 10 confirmed cases and one death since the previous update. The country has now recorded 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths among imported cases and one probable death. Five patients have recovered.
Health officials in Uganda say all reported cases are linked to travel from the DRC or secondary infections associated with imported cases. They have found no evidence of community transmission, with most patients being Congolese nationals who travelled to Uganda for medical treatment.
WHO also confirmed that an infected Congolese national travelled through Uganda to the United Arab Emirates before returning to Uganda. Investigations carried out by health authorities in both countries found no evidence of further transmission linked to the case, and the associated risk remains low.
Following a reassessment conducted on June 6, WHO maintained the outbreak risk in the DRC at a very high level due to ongoing transmission and the continued spread of the disease into new health zones.
The organisation further classified the risk in Uganda as high because of cross-border transmission and strong epidemiological links along the eastern DRC-western Uganda corridor.
WHO has warned that countries sharing borders with affected nations face a high risk of infection due to frequent population movements linked to trade and mining activities. However, the organisation continues to assess the risk for the rest of Africa and the global community as low.
Health experts are urging communities in affected areas to cooperate with health authorities, report suspected cases without delay and follow public health measures aimed at preventing further spread of the disease.
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