ReutersDakar: The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Uganda was likely caused by a new transmission of the virus from animals to humans, according to a study published on Monday, which identified a previously unseen variant of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. The study did not identify the animal source of the outbreak, although Ebola viruses are known to periodically jump from infected animals to humans. Researchers said the genetic analysis also confirmed that Ebola cases detected in Uganda were linked to the wider outbreak in Congo. There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, although several candidate vaccines and therapies remain under development. The outbreak was officially declared on 15 May 2026 and has become one of the most severe Ebola outbreaks on record.