The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent call for action following the detection of three new cases of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus in Uganda. The organization emphasized the critical need for international cooperation due to the risk of the virus, for which no specific treatment or vaccine currently exists, spreading further.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health announced on Saturday that the three new cases involved a healthcare worker, a driver, and a Congolese national who had traveled from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for medical treatment. These cases bring the total number of individuals infected with the Bundibugyo Ebola virus in Uganda to five.
The WHO, in collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and its partners in the DRC and Uganda, is actively working to control the outbreak, support those affected, and coordinate response efforts. On Friday, the WHO elevated the national risk assessment for the DRC to “very high,” while noting that the global risk remains low.
Cross-Border Collaboration is Vital
A two-day high-level ministerial meeting held in Kampala, Uganda, focused on cross-border coordination to combat the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak. Addressing ministers from South Sudan, the DRC, and Uganda, WHO Africa Emergency Preparedness and Response Director Dr. Marie Roseline Belizaire stressed the necessity of strengthening and maintaining cross-border cooperation to contain the epidemic. Dr. Belizaire warned that delays in response could have severe consequences, stating that “time saves lives” during outbreaks and highlighting the critical importance of robust surveillance and preparedness systems.
Call for Sustainable Financial Contributions
The WHO Director-General urged member states to increase their assessed financial contributions to ensure the WHO remains strong, independent, and capable of responding to future global emergencies. He also emphasized that global agreements must translate into practical actions that protect communities, rapidly contain outbreaks, and ensure access to healthcare for vulnerable populations. The Director-General stated, “Every nation is healthier and safer when all nations are healthier and safer.”
