News Center_ The widespread outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and its spread into Uganda, is exacerbating fears over the rare Bundibugyo strain, which lacks an approved vaccine or treatment.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo announced late on Sunday, June 28, that the number of confirmed Ebola infections had risen to 1,274 cases, including 360 deaths, marking the latest toll indicating the expanding scope of the outbreak in the eastern part of the country.

This comes after health authorities announced on May 15 a new wave of the dangerous hemorrhagic virus, which has spread across three provinces_Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu_home to approximately 15 million people, and which face security challenges and difficulties in accessing health services.

The spread has not been limited to the Congo, as neighboring Uganda has recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, according to the World Health Organization, despite local authorities earlier affirming that the situation remained under control. The cross-border transmission raises fears of the outbreak’s expansion in a region characterized by active population movement and weak health infrastructure in some areas.

Health reports indicate that the currently circulating strain is the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus_ a rare strain for which no approved vaccine or treatment is yet available. This further complicates containment efforts and makes reliance on isolation measures, contact tracing, and safe practices in dealing with patients and victims critically important.