Ebola’s spread fueled by cuts in humanitarian aid
The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda following a public health emergency declaration by the World Health Organization. According to Phuong Pham, an associate professor in the Department of Global Health and Population, the outbreak’s magnitude is linked to disinvestment in global health security and the July 2025 dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Why is the Ebola outbreak spreading in the DRC and Uganda?
The virus is spreading because of critical failures in early detection and surveillance. Reports indicate a significant delay between the first suspected cases and the official outbreak declaration, according to Pham.
Community surveillance failed to report early warning signs quickly. Additionally, local laboratories lacked the capacity to detect this specific Ebola species, forcing samples to be transported to distant facilities.
Pham notes that this lost time allowed the virus to propagate before confirmation. The current strain has no available drugs or vaccines, increasing the risk to neighboring Central African countries.
How did the dismantling of USAID affect the response?
The shuttering of USAID removed the primary operational arm the U.S. used to combat infectious outbreaks. The agency previously maintained a permanent presence in the DRC to strengthen laboratory capacity and train health workers.
During the 2018 Ebola outbreak in the DRC, USAID coordinated the vaccination of more than 300,000 people. It also managed contact tracing and trained thousands of local health workers.
The July 2025 decision terminated the majority of USAID staff and projects, with remaining elements absorbed by the U.S. State Department. This has led to a “brain drain” of professionals who understood local languages, customs, and community contexts.
What are the current U.S. efforts to stop the virus?
The U.S. State Department announced $23 million in emergency funding in mid-May for the DRC and Uganda. These funds are designated for surveillance, prevention, and the creation of 50 new clinics for screening, triage, and treatment.
The State Department is also deploying emergency staff, primarily from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to coordinate with humanitarian organizations and health ministries.
To prevent further spread, the State Department pledged an additional $20 million for preparedness in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
What happens next for global health security?
Future containment efforts may depend on whether the global community reinvests in durable local capacity. Pham argues that clinics alone may not stop transmission if there are not enough trained staff or if communities do not trust the facilities.
The rollout of a future vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain is likely to require deep community engagement. Without a workforce capable of building that trust, vaccine uptake could be hindered.
If the U.S. and other Western nations continue to reduce foreign aid budgets, other global health security systems could weaken. This may leave more regions vulnerable to viruses that do not respect national borders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola?
It is a strain of the Ebola virus currently spreading in the DRC and Uganda for which there are currently no vaccines or drugs.
What happened to USAID in 2025?
In July 2025, USAID was dismantled. Most of its staff and projects were terminated, and the remaining portions were absorbed by the U.S. State Department.
How much funding has the U.S. provided for the current outbreak?
The U.S. State Department provided $23 million for emergency efforts in the DRC and Uganda and $20 million for preparedness in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
Do you believe international health security should be managed by permanent agencies or emergency funding?