Ebola Outbreak in Eastern DR Congo in May 2026

Ebola Outbreak in Eastern DR Congo in May 2026: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak known as the Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in its Eastern Ituri province – the epicentre of the outbreak – as well as North Kivu province a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

As of May 2026, health authorities have tracked approximately 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The epidemic is fuelled by the rare Bundibugyo virus strain, making control highly challenging because there are currently no approved vaccines or specific therapeutic treatments available for this particular variant.

The Director-General of WHO expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda for their commitment to take necessary and vigorous actions to bring the event under control, as well as for their frankness in assessing the risk posed by this event to other States Parties, hence allowing the global community to take necessary preparedness actions.

The 51 cases confirmed in DR Congo are in its eastern Ituri province – the epicentre of the outbreak – as well as North Kivu province.

According to the Uganda Media Centre Executive Director Mr. Allan Kasujja and the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH), Two Ebola cases were confirmed in Uganda’s capital, Kampala with both cases being travellers from DR Congo, one of whom has died and the body has been returned to the DRC.

The Ministry of Health, as it has done many times before, has traced all those who had interacted with him, including health workers, close relatives, and friends. The Ministry is confident that there is no cause for alarm. The situation has been contained.

The Ministry of Health of Uganda is sharing precautions and standard operating procedures with the community in the unlikely event that a person is identified showing Ebola symptoms like sudden onset of fever, fatigue, chest pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, unexplained bleeding, and yellow eyes).

The government is encouraging washing of hands, avoiding close contact with bodily fluids and has reactivated emergency helplines for reporting cases so as the manage and evacuating them to the nearest health facility

Many countries have taken steps to halt the spread of the disease, including limiting travel from the affected region, implementing traveler screening and sending resources to help control the disease.

As of 16 May 2026, 8 laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths have been reported in Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo across at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.

A further case reported on 16 May, an individual returning from Ituri to Kinshasa, has tested negative for Bundibugyo virus on confirmatory testing by INRB, and is therefore not considered a confirmed case.

On May 17, an American doctor who was exposed as part of work caring for patients in DRC tested positive for Ebola Bundibugyo disease. The patient has been transported to Germany for treatment and care. In addition to being a shorter flight time, Germany has previous experience caring for Ebola patients.