It’s not just virology: The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda demands a wider public health response

Abstract

The current outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda is much more than another infectious disease emergency. It reminds us that epidemics come not only from biological pathogens but also from social inequities, environmental disruption, fragile health systems, and persistent armed conflict. While Ebola captures headlines because of its fear-provoking symptoms and high mortality, the conditions that allow it to spread receive far less attention.