The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak was detected in early May and has spread across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo and into neighbouring Uganda. Authorities fear the virus could cross into South Sudan. As of 25 June the toll in the DRC stood at more than 1,200 confirmed cases and 321 deaths, while Uganda reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths. Bundibugyo was first identified in 2007 in Uganda and caused a major outbreak in the DRC in 2012 in Isiro.
Unlike Ebola Zaire, Bundibugyo has no licensed vaccine or specific cure. Its symptoms can be less obvious and its fatality rate is around 30–40 per cent. Without a specific vaccine, the response depends on established public health measures: quick identification of cases, isolation, active community case-finding, protection of healthcare workers with gloves and protective clothing, and dignified safe burials.
Experts also face security and logistical challenges when reaching remote places such as Mongbwalu. Funding is tighter now, and international and local partners are working together while urging careful use of resources and better organisation to avoid a prolonged epidemic.
Difficult words
- outbreak — a sudden start of many disease cases
- detect — to find or notice something, especially problemsdetected
- confirm — to show that something is true or realconfirmed
- isolation — keeping sick people away from others
- fatality — a death from an accident or disease
- vaccine — a medicine that prevents a specific disease
- logistical — related to planning and moving supplies or staff
- funding — money needed to pay for a project or response
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Which of the public health measures named in the article would be hardest to organise in your area, and why?
- How could tighter funding make the outbreak response slower or less effective where you live? Give one or two examples.
- What practical steps can health workers take to protect themselves when they visit remote places during an outbreak?
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