The Democratic Republic of Congo will open three treatment centers for the Ebola virus in eastern Ituri province following an outbreak caused by a rare variant with no approved vaccines or therapeutics, as international health authorities race to contain its spread.

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern after more than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths in Congo and two in neighboring Uganda. The virus has reached the capital Kinshasa and Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, raising concerns about broader transmission.

Samuel Roger Kamba, Congolese health minister, visited Bunia, Ituri's capital, on Sunday and said the government was preparing treatment centers at all three sites to expand capacity. "We know that the hospitals are already under stress because of the patients," he said. "But we are preparing to have treatment centers at all three sites in order to be able to expand our capabilities."

The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare Ebola variant detected only twice before since 1976—in Uganda during 2007-2008 and in Congo's Isiro region in 2012. The WHO sent a team of 35 experts and 7 tons of emergency supplies to Bunia on Sunday.

What the Right Is Saying

Security-focused officials warn that containing the outbreak is complicated by instability in eastern Congo, where armed groups have killed dozens and displaced thousands in recent months. They emphasize the need for robust border controls to prevent international spread.

Rwanda closed its land border with Congo on Sunday, with only holders of international flight tickets permitted entry. The U.S. State Department confirmed the closure while AP reporters attempting to cross were informed of the restrictions. Rwandan authorities have not responded to requests for comment.

The WHO said Monday that 44 attacks on health care facilities in Congo have been recorded since January 2025, along with 742 incidents affecting humanitarian workers. Health officials say conflict-affected areas pose additional risks to medical personnel responding to the outbreak.

U.S. health authorities issued travel advisories on Friday urging Americans in Congo and Uganda to avoid contact with symptomatic individuals. The CDC said it is implementing measures to identify symptomatic travelers at ports of entry, though U.S. officials characterized the risk to Americans as low.

What the Left Is Saying

Global health advocates say the outbreak highlights persistent gaps in international preparedness for emerging infectious diseases, particularly in conflict-affected regions with weak health infrastructure. They are calling for accelerated development of vaccines and treatments for lesser-known Ebola strains.

Dr. Gabriel Nsakala, a professor of public health who has worked on past Ebola responses in Congo, said treating viral infections like Ebola often focuses on managing symptoms rather than targeting the pathogen directly. He noted that while Congo has extensive experience with Ebola outbreaks, response efforts are complicated by the unusual strain.

Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa CDC, told Sky News on Sunday that health officials are in "panic mode" due to a lack of medicines and vaccines as deaths rise, though he said some candidate treatments were anticipated in coming weeks. The WHO's emergency declaration is designed to spur donor agencies and countries into action.

The East African Community bloc said Monday the outbreak underscores the importance of regional solidarity and preparedness. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, deputy secretary-general of the regional organization, said coordinated efforts and rapid information sharing are essential given high population movement across borders.

What the Numbers Show

The Bundibugyo virus was first identified during a 2007-2008 outbreak in Uganda's Bundibugyo district, infecting 149 people and killing 37. The second detection occurred in Isiro, Congo, in 2012, with 57 cases and 29 deaths reported.

Current outbreak statistics show over 300 suspected cases across Congo and Uganda, resulting in at least 90 confirmed deaths combined. Cases have been reported in Kinshasa, the capital more than 1,000 kilometers from Ituri province, as well as Goma in eastern Congo.

The Africa CDC said the first cases emerged in Mongwalu health zone, a high-traffic mining area in Ituri. The remote province has poor road networks and is grappling with an ongoing humanitarian crisis independent of the outbreak.

CBS News reported that at least six Americans have been exposed to the Ebola virus in Congo, citing anonymous sources in international aid organizations. AP has not independently verified this information. U.S. health officials said Sunday the risk to Americans was low but did not directly address whether any Americans may have been exposed.

The Bottom Line

The Bundibugyo strain presents unique challenges because no authorized vaccines or treatments exist for this variant, unlike more common Ebola strains. International health authorities are relying on supportive care and experimental approaches while working to develop targeted countermeasures.

What happens next will depend on the success of contact tracing, border monitoring, and international coordination. Rwanda's border closure reflects the heightened among neighboring countries, though health experts note that travel restrictions can sometimes hinder response efforts by complicating supply chains and expert access.

The outbreak is centered in a region already facing humanitarian crisis, with attacks on health facilities adding to response challenges. Watch for whether treatment centers reach full capacity, whether candidate treatments arrive as expected, and whether the virus spreads further within Congo or crosses additional borders.