The World Health Organization has declared a public‑health emergency of international concern after a new Ebola outbreak emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unlike previous flare‑ups, this one is driven by the Bundibugyo strain, a rare variant not seen for more than a decade and for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, and symptoms begin 2 to 21 days after exposure, starting with fever, headache and fatigue before progressing to vomiting, diarrhoea, organ failure and, in some cases, internal or external bleeding.

The first identified case was a nurse in Bunia who fell ill on 24 April, suggesting the virus had been circulating undetected for weeks. Subsequent infections have been reported in the mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara, the provincial capital Bunia, and the larger city of Goma, which is under rebel control. A confirmed case in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, involved a Congolese national who had recently traveled from the outbreak zone. Health officials fear the true scale of the outbreak remains hidden, especially as some communities attribute the illness to witchcraft and seek help from traditional healers instead of medical facilities.

Responding to the crisis, the Congolese government has dispatched health teams equipped with protective gear, while the WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières are establishing treatment centres and a coordinated response plan. A toll‑free hotline (151) has been launched for symptom reporting, and residents are urged to avoid contact with the bodies of the deceased, refrain from eating raw meat, and practice social distancing. In the rebel‑held areas of North Kivu, the AFC‑M23 group announced the formation of its own Ebola response team, signalling a tentative willingness to cooperate with health authorities.

Neighboring countries are on high alert. Rwanda has tightened border screenings, and Uganda postponed a major religious pilgrimage that typically draws thousands of Congolese participants. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is engaging with the DRC, Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan to strengthen regional preparedness. While the WHO stresses that the risk of international spread beyond East Africa remains low, the combination of a rare virus strain, limited medical countermeasures, and ongoing conflict makes containment a formidable challenge.