WHO: 223 suspected deaths, 906 cases in Ebola outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with a significant Ebola outbreak, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths under investigation. The virus's Bundibugyo strain is straining the country's health authorities and has also made its way into neighboring Uganda.

In Uganda, seven confirmed cases of Ebola have been recorded, including three imported from the DRC, resulting in one death. The WHO has stated that no community transmission has been reported in Uganda thus far. The DRC has confirmed 125 cases, with 17 deaths across the Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu regions.

“

It's huge. It means that up to five out of 10 people are likely to die.

Anaïs Legand, from the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, described the situation as "huge," indicating a potentially high fatality rate. "It means that up to five out of 10 people are likely to die," she said, though she cautioned that the data is preliminary and requires further investigation. Legand also suggested that early medical care could help reduce the number of fatalities.

Compounding the challenge, there are currently no approved vaccines or specific therapies available for the Bundibugyo virus disease, according to the WHO. Uganda has responded by closing its borders with the DRC in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.

“

However, no community transmission has been reported, the WHO said.