Ebola Outbreak in DRC and Uganda Surpasses 200 Dead as Donations Lag KAMPALA, Uganda – The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda has taken a dire turn, with the death toll exceeding 200 as of June 19, 2026.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has reported that less than 10 percent of the funding pledged by donors has been received to combat the disease.
In the DRC, 202 people have died, with another two deaths recorded in Uganda.
The current outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, is three times worse than a previous outbreak in Uganda in 2000.
The Africa CDC estimates that the actual number of cases is higher, as the outbreak was only confirmed on May 15, weeks after it was suspected to have begun.
The Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccines or treatments, is concentrated in Congo’s eastern province of Ituri, accounting for over 90 percent of the cases. Cases have also spread across the border to Uganda, where 19 confirmed cases have been reported. Despite pledges of $910 million, including $80 million from African Union member states, Africa CDC reports that only $90 million has been released to the affected countries.
The Africa CDC estimates that it needs 540 personnel to fight the outbreak, but has so far deployed only 84.
A World Health Organization (WHO) official in Bunia, the main city in Ituri province, stated that over 60 WHO health workers in Congo have been infected by Ebola, with 34 fatalities.
A Chinese medical team has arrived in Congo, and Uganda is preparing a team as well.
The situation is further complicated by the remote nature of the affected areas and ongoing insecurity in Ituri province, which hampers contact tracing efforts. Despite these challenges, health authorities in both countries are working diligently to contain the outbreak, including identifying and isolating cases, tracing contacts, and implementing infection control measures.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: rfi
Source: RFI
