Written By | Agencies
WHO said Uganda has so far registered 12 suspected cases, of which two were confirmed through laboratory testing, while the remaining cases tested negative.
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The World Health Organization has intensified response efforts following a rise in suspected Ebola cases linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
According to the latest situation report released by WHO on May 18, a total of 528 suspected Ebola cases, including 132 deaths, have been reported across the two countries.
WHO said Uganda has so far registered 12 suspected cases, of which two were confirmed through laboratory testing, while the remaining cases tested negative.
Health authorities have identified 668 contacts linked to the outbreak, including 541 in the DRC and 127 in Uganda. However, WHO noted that contact tracing remains difficult in some parts of eastern DRC due to insecurity and movement restrictions.
The global health body said the figures continue to change rapidly as surveillance, laboratory testing, and contact tracing operations are expanded in affected areas.
WHO added that alert management and case investigations are being strengthened in both countries to help contain the spread of the disease.
In the DRC, 38 experts, including 20 officials from the Ministry of Health and 18 WHO personnel, have been deployed from Kinshasa to Bunia to support emergency response operations.
The organization also confirmed that more than 17 tonnes of emergency supplies have been shipped to the DRC. These include personal protective equipment, medicines, tents, stretchers, and other medical supplies needed for treatment and prevention efforts.
Laboratory capacity is also being expanded through the deployment of mobile laboratories and specialized lab teams to affected areas to increase testing and diagnostic services.
WHO, together with humanitarian partners including Alliance for International Medical Action, Médecins Sans Frontières, International Organization for Migration and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, is supporting the establishment of treatment facilities in affected communities.
The agency further said that risk communication and community engagement campaigns are being intensified to ensure local communities actively participate in the response and prevention efforts.
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