KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / MENA Newswire / — The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 507 confirmed Ebola cases and 88 confirmed deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The total in the latest daily Ebola update exceeds an earlier figure of 471 confirmed cases. The outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola disease. Health officials confirmed the outbreak in May after clusters appeared in eastern Congo and Uganda. Public health teams are tracking confirmed cases, suspected cases, deaths, recoveries and contacts.
WHO’s daily table lists 488 confirmed cases and 86 deaths in Congo, based on data through June 5. It also lists 119 suspected cases and nine recoveries in the country. Authorities have linked the main burden to eastern provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. Earlier WHO regional updates placed the heaviest concentration in Ituri. Bunia, Rwampara, Mongbwalu and Nyankunde were among affected health zones.
Uganda accounts for 19 confirmed cases, two confirmed deaths and four recoveries in the latest WHO update. The Ministry of Health of Uganda did not report any suspected case in that daily summary. Earlier WHO updates listed cases in Kampala and Wakiso. WHO has linked exposure risks to health care settings and movements across the border from Congo. The figures place the Ebola outbreak across two countries in Central Africa and the wider Great Lakes region.
Confirmed cases replace earlier suspected totals
The case count changed as laboratories tested samples and officials reclassified earlier suspected cases. WHO says figures may undergo retrospective revision. Daily numbers come from the previous situation report issued by Congo’s public health emergency operations center. The total confirmed case fatality rate stood at 17 percent in the latest update. Congo’s confirmed case fatality rate stood at 18 percent, while Uganda’s stood at 11 percent. The latest table also lists 13 recoveries across both countries.
WHO says there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo species. Candidate tools remain under review. Care teams treat symptoms, isolate patients and trace contacts to reduce spread. The agency says it is supporting Congo and Uganda with surveillance, contact tracing, clinical care, supplies, community engagement and border readiness. Response work also includes laboratory confirmation, infection prevention and treatment centers in affected areas. Those actions form the core public health response to Ebola virus disease.
Response focuses on testing and contacts
WHO’s director general determined on May 17 that the epidemic met the test for a public health emergency of international concern. The agency rated the risk very high at the national level, high at the regional level and low at the global level. It cited needs for faster testing and stronger contact follow up. It also noted insecurity, displacement and mobile populations as challenges for contact tracing in Congo. Health authorities have also worked to expand diagnostic capacity in priority locations.
Africa CDC and WHO launched a six month, $518 million continental Ebola preparedness and response plan covering June through November 2026. The plan targets affected and at risk countries with surveillance, testing, infection control, case management, logistics and public communication. It also covers border coordination for Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus. The confirmed totals show the outbreak has grown beyond the earlier count of 471 cases. Health agencies continue to report daily figures as laboratories process samples.
