Officials in both countries are increasing surveillance and containment measures.

Health authorities are closely monitoring an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with the World Health Organization classifying the situation as high risk at national and regional levels, while stating that the global risk remains low.

The outbreak has so far recorded 51 confirmed cases in Congo's northern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, along with two confirmed infections in Uganda. Investigations are also underway into about 134 suspected deaths and nearly 600 suspected cases and deaths, as surveillance teams work to verify reports from affected communities.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has cautioned that the outbreak may be larger than current figures show. He noted that case numbers could rise further as monitoring expands and more remote areas become accessible to health workers.

Response efforts are being complicated by insecurity, delayed detection of infections, and frequent movement of people across borders in the region. Parts of eastern Congo remain affected by armed group activity, limiting access for health teams.

Officials in both countries are increasing surveillance and containment measures, while WHO continues to call for stronger coordination and faster intervention to reduce transmission risks and prevent further spread.