WHO has issued a “very high risk” warning over a deadly Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo with 5,794 cases and 2,786 deaths, as the rare strain has no approved targeted vaccine
A deadly Ebola outbreak is spiralling as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a new stark “very high risk” warning as cases hit record levels.
The crisis involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rarer form of the virus that, crucially, has no approved targeted vaccine or specific treatment. WHO says the outbreak has now reached 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths, a devastating 48.1% fatality rate.
The virus has spread across 60 health zones in six provinces, with the epicentre in Ituri and North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These are areas also rocked by armed conflict.
Aid workers say violence, displacement and insecurity are blocking contact tracing and medical surveillance, allowing unmonitored community transmission to continue. Adding to the danger, Bundibugyo Ebola does not always show the hallmark symptom many people associate with Ebola.
Instead, early illness can look like flu or malaria – fever, fatigue and headaches – which may lead people to stay home and delay isolation, increasing the risk of further spread. Unlike previous Ebola epidemics, the standard ERVEBO jab used against the Zaire strain is ineffective against Bundibugyo.
Frontline workers are still being offered it in the hope of partial protection, but WHO says there is no approved vaccine designed for this strain. Despite the scale of the outbreak, WHO urged countries not to impose blanket travel bans, saying: “Based on the currently available information, WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, affected countries.
“WHO continues to closely monitor and, where necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this event.” WHO added: “The updated Temporary Recommendations issued to States Parties on 24 August 2026 underscore the importance of coordinated outbreak control, strengthened cross‑border collaboration, and sustained surveillance and preparedness to prevent further regional spread and ensure an effective public health response.
“Rapid recognition of cases, testing and optimized supportive care can reduce mortality, and improve community perceptions and acceptance of health care within the response.” An international ripple has already been seen.
Uganda declared the end of its cross-border outbreak on August 26, but there have been isolated medical evacuations of humanitarian workers to Germany and France. WHO says global risk remains low.
WHO further confirmed: “On 7 August, the WHO Technical Advisory Group on candidate vaccine prioritization released a report regarding possible candidate vaccines for Bundibugyo virus disease. The members recommended that Ervebo, the only licensed Ebola vaccine (previously known as ebolavirus Zaire), be prioritized for inclusion in a randomized clinical trial in the context of the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
It also said: “In addition, WHO is sponsoring a clinical trial to find effective treatments against BVD. The trial began enrollment on 2 July. The trial, known as the PARTNERS trial, is now open in three different clinical management facilities in Ituri province and has enrolled over 250 people who are confirmed cases.”
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