The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has declared a continental public health emergency following an Ebola outbreak that has claimed 132 lives across two countries.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded 131 deaths from 513 suspected cases of the deadly virus, whilst neighbouring Uganda has confirmed one fatality. The declaration, announced late on Monday, enables the Africa CDC to deploy emergency response teams and enhance surveillance operations across the affected region.

Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa CDC, warned that the outbreak is occurring in one of the continent’s most challenging operational environments, characterised by ongoing insecurity, population mobility, fragile health systems and limited medical resources for treating the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

The Ethiopia-based organisation expressed serious concern about the potential for regional spread, citing intense cross-border population movements, mobility related to mining activities, insecurity in affected areas and weak infection prevention measures. The proximity of affected zones to Rwanda and South Sudan has heightened these concerns.

The agency confirmed it is working closely with the World Health Organisation to strengthen coordination, building on frameworks developed during recent mpox and cholera outbreaks.

The continental emergency declaration grants the Africa CDC additional powers to mobilise resources and coordinate responses across member states as authorities work to contain the outbreak.

ALSO READ: New Ebola outbreak in DR Congo declared international health emergency