Ebola outbreak threatens ten Central African nations as Uganda confirms new cases

The African Union's Africa CDC has issued a stark warning: the Ebola outbreak, currently centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, could spread to ten additional countries in Central Africa. Nations considered at risk include South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, the Republic of Congo, Burundi, Angola, the Central African Republic, and Zambia.

Uganda has confirmed three new Ebola cases, raising its total to five. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with a higher number of suspected cases, estimated by the WHO at around 750, with 177 deaths potentially linked to the virus. The Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reported that three of its volunteers likely contracted the virus in late March in the Ituri province, the epidemic's epicenter, and subsequently died.

Evidence suggests the outbreak may have begun earlier than previously understood. The IFRC volunteers, who were in Ituri for a different humanitarian mission, may have been infected as early as March 27th through contact with deceased individuals. Their deaths occurred on May 5th, 15th, and 16th. The first confirmed cases were only identified on May 15th, with the WHO declaring a public health emergency of international concern two days later. Experts believe the virus circulated undetected for weeks, as standard tests initially failed to detect the rare Bundibugyo variant, despite investigations into clusters of unexplained deaths.

The World Health Organization has elevated the health risk level for the DRC to "very high." While 82 infections and seven deaths are confirmed in the DRC, the sheer number of suspected cases highlights the scale of the challenge. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, and its incubation period can extend up to three weeks.