The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in Central Africa could cost the continent up to $3.6 billion and threaten hundreds of thousands of jobs if the virus is not contained quickly.

Since the outbreak was declared on 15 May, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported 1,307 infections and 377 deaths, while additional cases have been confirmed in neighbouring Uganda, raising concerns about further regional spread. The Bundibugyo strain currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.

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According to UNDP, the economic impact will depend on how rapidly the outbreak is controlled. In the best-case scenario, where infections remain largely limited to the DRC and Uganda, Congo’s economy could lose around $1 billion in GDP. A wider regional outbreak could increase losses to $3.6 billion, affecting businesses, employment, and economic growth across Africa.

“If we have the resources and we step up, we can contain this outbreak and prevent further losses. If we do not, this health emergency risks becoming a much deeper and prolonged development crisis across the region and potentially the continent” said Damien Mama, UNDP Resident Representative in the DRC.

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The UN has called on governments and international partners to strengthen disease surveillance, healthcare capacity, and funding to prevent the outbreak from escalating into a broader humanitarian and economic crisis.