GENEVA/KAMPALA – The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expanding rapidly, with rising case numbers, wider geographic spread and cross-border transmission to Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

In its latest update, WHO currently assesses the risk as very high for DRC, high for Uganda and neighboring countries sharing land borders with affected areas, and low for the rest of the African region and globally.

As of Sunday, DRC has reported 515 confirmed cases, including 91 deaths. Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths and one probable fatal case. All cases in Uganda remain epidemiologically linked to the outbreak in DRC, with evidence of both imported infections and secondary transmission among contacts and healthcare workers.

ALSO READ: Ebola cases top 500 in DR Congo amid spread warning

National authorities, working with WHO and partners, are implementing a range of response measures. On 5 June, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO launched a joint continental Ebola preparedness and response plan, seeking $518 million to support African countries in preparing for, detecting, and responding to the outbreak.

The outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a severe and often fatal form of Ebola disease. The virus is believed to originate in fruit bats and can spread through close contact with the blood or secretions of infected animals or the bodily fluids of infected people.

The incubation period for BVD ranges from two to 21 days, and infected individuals are not contagious until symptoms appear.  

Call for regional cooperation

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday called for stronger regional cooperation to contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

Coordinated cross-border efforts are essential to preventing the disease from spreading across East and Central Africa, Museveni said during a meeting with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at State House Entebbe, about 40 km south of Uganda's capital, Kampala.

READ MORE: WHO calls for global action to contain Ebola outbreak

According to a statement issued by the presidency, Museveni reaffirmed Uganda's commitment and readiness to contain the outbreak, noting that the country has put in place robust surveillance and response measures while working closely with neighboring countries, particularly the DRC.

The president said he had held discussions with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi on strengthening bilateral cooperation to curb the cross-border transmission of Ebola.

"We have been engaging our counterparts in the DRC to ensure that we work together in addressing this challenge," Museveni said.

Tedros commended Uganda's response to the outbreak and praised the government's decision to suspend this year's Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations, an annual event that attracts millions of pilgrims, saying the move was a responsible public health measure to prevent a potential super-spreader event.

The WHO chief also pledged continued support through funding, logistics, technical expertise and personnel, while urging regional leaders to strengthen coordinated efforts to combat the outbreak.

According to Uganda's Ministry of Health, the country has so far recorded 19 confirmed Ebola cases, including 14 individuals who entered Uganda from the DRC. No new cases have been reported in the past three days.