Following the rising number of Ebola cases of the Bundibugyo variant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared this outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As of early July 2026, more than 1,460 cases have been recorded with a significant fatality rate, sparking global vigilance after indications of imported cases were found in the European region.
Health expert from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, dr. Farindira Vesti Rahmasari, M.Sc., Ph.D., emphasized that Ebola is a deadly disease with an average fatality rate reaching 50 percent. The main challenge in managing this disease lies in the initial symptoms, which tend to be non-specific and resemble common influenza, such as fever, headache, fatigue, and a sore throat.
"The public is often misled because these early or 'dry symptoms' resemble mild illnesses. However, if not detected immediately, the infection can progress rapidly, triggering organ dysfunction to severe bleeding," explained dr. Farindira. She added that the virus's incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days, with the peak risk of transmission occurring when the patient starts showing overt symptoms.
Dr. Farindira emphasized that the groups at the highest risk of exposure include healthcare workers, family members caring for patients, and those with a travel history to endemic areas or contact with wildlife. Prevention can be achieved by avoiding direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals and adhering strictly to health protocols when interacting with sick people.
As a mitigation step, the public is urged to be cooperative and honest about their travel history with medical personnel when experiencing health complaints. Honesty in providing medical information is a crucial key to accelerating the diagnostic process, minimizing the risk of spread, and ensuring timely medical treatment for patients suspected of being exposed to the Ebola virus.
