Ituri Ebola Outbreak Surges to 80 Deaths as Bundibugyo Strain Emerges

An Ebola outbreak in Congo’s Ituri province has reached at least 80 deaths and 246 suspected cases, with eight lab-confirmed infections all from the Bundibugyo strain, prompting intensified screening and contact tracing as health workers race to contain spread; the suspected index case is a nurse, and a case linked to Congo has been reported in neighboring Uganda, signaling regional risk. There are no approved vaccines or treatments for this strain, and aid groups are preparing a large-scale response amid logistical challenges in a volatile region.