Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield warned that an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda could escalate into a “very significant pandemic” as it spreads across multiple nations.

In his remarks, Redfield indicated the virus might spread to Tanzania, Southern Sudan, and Rwanda. He reported that the outbreak has already generated 536 suspected cases, 105 probable cases, 34 confirmed cases, and approximately 134 suspected deaths in the affected countries.

“Normally when we have these Ebola outbreaks,” Redfield explained, “and I had three of them when I was CDC director, all of which were in the DRC, normally we recognize them when we have five, ten cases, you know, at most. This one really wasn’t picked up until there was over 100 cases.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern for the Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC and Uganda. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that while only 51 confirmed cases have been reported in Congo’s northern provinces, the actual scale is much larger, with nearly 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths across both nations.

The Bundibugyo virus, a less common strain of Ebola disease that lacks specific treatments or vaccines, spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids such as blood, sweat, feces, or vomit of infected individuals. Healthcare workers and family members caring for sick patients are at the highest risk.