Bundibugyo Ebola toll hits 454 as Congo outbreak spreads

By Chioma Obinna
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over a rapidly escalating outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a deadly Ebola strain, which has killed 454 people and infected 1,481 others in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and France, fuelling fears of a broader regional health crisis.
WHO said the outbreak, driven by sustained transmission in Congo’s conflict-ridden eastern provinces, is evolving rapidly and poses a severe threat to neighbouring countries due to cross-border movement, fragile health systems and humanitarian crises.
According to the update, “As of July 1, Congo had recorded 1,460 confirmed infections and 452 deaths, with he...