WHO Raises Ebola Risk to Very High in DR Congo

The agency assessed the risk as very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level. Officials said 82 cases have been confirmed with seven confirmed deaths, while suspected cases reached nearly 750 and suspected deaths reached 177.

Provincial authorities in Ituri restricted funerals to specialized teams only and banned transport of bodies by non-medical vehicles. Public gatherings were limited to 50 people and the local football league was suspended. The measures followed clashes in Rwampara town on Thursday when residents torched an Ebola treatment center and attempted to recover a victim's body.

A U.S. national working in the DRC tested positive for Ebola and was transferred to Germany for treatment. Another American national identified as a high-risk contact was transferred to the Czech Republic. Officials reported that the situation in neighboring Uganda remains stable after two confirmed cases and one death linked to travel from the DRC.

“We are now revising our risk assessment to very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level.”

The Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or treatment. Officials said additional personnel have been deployed to Ituri province to support affected communities.