This Weekly Bulletin focuses on public health emergencies occurring in the WHO African region. This week’s articles cover:
- Sudan Virus Disease in Uganda
- Marburg Virus Disease in the United Republic of Tanzania
- Complex Humanitarian Crisis in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
For each of these events, a brief description is provided, followed by public health measures implemented and an interpretation of the situation.
At the end of the bulletin, a table provides information on all new and ongoing public health events currently being monitored in the region, as well as recent events that have been controlled and closed..
- Uganda has reported an outbreak of Sudan Virus Disease (SVD), with the index case detected posthumously in a health worker in the capital, Kampala. The source of exposure remains unknown, raising concerns about undetected transmission chains or a new zoonotic spillover. Of particular concern is the extensive travel of the index case while symptomatic, visiting multiple healthcare facilities in high-population density areas like Wakiso District, the international travel hub of Kampala, and as far as Mbale District in Eastern Uganda, increasing the risk of widespread transmission. While Uganda has prior experience managing SVD outbreaks, this situation presents new challenges, including an unknown source of infection, the urgent need for contact tracing, and rapid implementation of public health measures to prevent further spread. The outbreak comes at a time when Uganda is already managing multiple public health crises, including cholera and mpox, thus straining response capacity. Immediate mobilization of resources, enhanced surveillance, cross-border coordination, and engagement with global health partners are critical to containing this outbreak before it escalates into a major health emergency. Decisive leadership and urgent action are required to prevent further transmission and mitigate the impact of this evolving crisis.
- The humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has reached critical levels due to the escalating conflict between M23 armed group and the Congolese Army. Mass displacement of civilians, rising casualties, and widespread destruction of infrastructure have further destabilized the region, while ongoing outbreaks of mpox, cholera, and other infectious diseases pose an imminent public health threat. Health services are severely disrupted, with remaining facilities overwhelmed beyond their coping capacity, leaving thousands without access to essential medical care, including treatment for the wounded. The collapse of basic humanitarian services, including water, sanitation, and shelter, increases the risk of disease transmission and worsening malnutrition, particularly among children and other vulnerable populations. The security situation continues to deteriorate, limiting humanitarian access and putting frontline responders at risk, further delaying critical interventions. Urgent international diplomatic efforts are needed to de-escalate hostilities, facilitate humanitarian corridors, and restore essential services. Without swift action, the crisis risks regional destabilization, increased cross-border displacement, and further amplification of disease outbreaks.