Health
WHO adds diagnostic test for Ebola Bundibugyo virus to its Emergency Use Listing
Through this mechanism, WHO aims to accelerate access to reliable diagnostic tools for early case detection, timely clinical care, disease surveillance and effective outbreak response.
Laboratory technicians testing samples from suspected Bundibugyo virus disease cases in Bunia, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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World Health Organisation (WHO) has added the first molecular diagnostic test for Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) to its Emergency Use Listing (EUL).
The test detects the virus by identifying its genetic material in blood samples, helping confirm infection rapidly and accurately.
Through this mechanism, WHO aims to accelerate access to reliable diagnostic tools for early case detection, timely clinical care, disease surveillance and effective outbreak response.
The EUL procedure assesses the quality, safety and performance of essential health products based on the available evidence, while ensuring they meet minimum international standards and address the needs of low- and middle-income countries.
On 17 May 2026, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared a public health emergency of international concern over the outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with cases in Uganda.
Less than two weeks later, WHO launched a call for manufacturers of IVDs for Bundibugyo virus to submit Expressions of Interest for Emergency Use Listing.
The listing comes at a critical time as countries respond to the largest recorded outbreak of Ebola disease caused by BDBV, which continues to expand.
On Saturday, Dr Anne Ancia, WHO’s representative to the DRC, said that the Kinshasa government had, by July 4, recorded 1,561 confirmed cases, including 506 deaths and 254 people recovered. More than 10,000 contacts are being monitored.
Less than two weeks later, WHO launched a call for manufacturers of IVDs for Bundibugyo virus to submit Expressions of Interest for Emergency Use Listing.
The listing comes at a critical time as countries respond to the largest recorded outbreak of Ebola disease caused by BDBV, which continues to expand.
On Saturday, Dr Anne Ancia, WHO’s representative to the DRC, said that the Kinshasa government had, by July 4, recorded 1,561 confirmed cases, including 506 deaths and 254 people recovered. More than 10,000 contacts are being monitored.
While announcing the EUL innovations on July 7, Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data, stated that "during a fast-moving outbreak, timely access to quality-assured diagnostic tests can make a critical difference in containing transmission. Through this Emergency Use Listing, WHO is helping countries access trusted diagnostic tools more rapidly so that they can respond more effectively.”
With support from WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), laboratory testing capacity has expanded from a limited number of sites – primarily Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in Kinshasa and Goma, with an estimated combined capacity of approximately 200–400 tests per day – to a broader network of 10 laboratories across affected provinces, with a reported capacity of over 2000 tests per day. Rapid and reliable diagnosis remains essential to identify cases early, guide timely patient care, interrupt and help bring outbreaks under control.
WHO continues to work closely with manufacturers, global partners and countries to expand the availability of and access to safe, effective and quality-assured life-saving health products. Additional applications for BDBV IVDs submitted through the EUL procedure are currently under review.
Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe, often life-threatening disease caused by BDBV, one of three Ebola virus species known to cause large outbreaks in humans. The virus can spread from animals to humans and then from person to person through contact with a person sick or deceased and their infected bodily fluids or surfaces or items contaminated by these fluids.
On July 5, Uganda dispatched a medical team, two mobile laboratories, and logistics support to the DRC to join the Ebola fight.
This joint Uganda-DRC initiative aims to strengthen the cross-border Ebola response by reducing the movement of Ebola patients into Uganda seeking care, curbing cross-border transmission, and ending the outbreak sooner.
With support from WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), laboratory testing capacity has expanded from a limited number of sites – primarily Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in Kinshasa and Goma, with an estimated combined capacity of approximately 200–400 tests per day – to a broader network of 10 laboratories across affected provinces, with a reported capacity of over 2000 tests per day. Rapid and reliable diagnosis remains essential to identify cases early, guide timely patient care, interrupt and help bring outbreaks under control.
WHO continues to work closely with manufacturers, global partners and countries to expand the availability of and access to safe, effective and quality-assured life-saving health products. Additional applications for BDBV IVDs submitted through the EUL procedure are currently under review.
Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe, often life-threatening disease caused by BDBV, one of three Ebola virus species known to cause large outbreaks in humans. The virus can spread from animals to humans and then from person to person through contact with a person sick or deceased and their infected bodily fluids or surfaces or items contaminated by these fluids.
On July 5, Uganda dispatched a medical team, two mobile laboratories, and logistics support to the DRC to join the Ebola fight.
This joint Uganda-DRC initiative aims to strengthen the cross-border Ebola response by reducing the movement of Ebola patients into Uganda seeking care, curbing cross-border transmission, and ending the outbreak sooner.