In Mongwalu, health workers transported the body of a newborn who died from Ebola after being born to a mother infected with the virus. This tragic case arrives amid a worsening outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo strain that has spread across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and into neighboring Uganda, with more than 900 suspected cases reported to date. Bundibugyo is a less common Ebola species, but it can cause severe illness and has challenged health systems in the region in past outbreaks. The infant’s death underscores the ongoing risk of transmission during birth and the critical importance of rapid isolation, robust contact tracing, and safe burial practices to curb further spread. Frontline facilities are contending with surges in cases, supply constraints, and the logistical hurdles of cross-border surveillance, all while communities face fear, stigma, and misinformation. International partners are boosting vaccination efforts where feasible, increasing laboratory capacity, and reinforcing infection prevention measures. My view is that this crisis exposes the urgent need for sustained investment in health infrastructure, transparent risk communication, and durable regional cooperation to protect newborns and pregnant women, reduce transmission, and restore public confidence in health responses.

Source: Statement from @trtworld

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Published: May 30, 2026, 7:40 am