Ebola disease

WHO declares DRC and Uganda outbreak a global public health emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). PHEIC status aims to accelerate funding, research, and international public health measures and co-operation to contain a disease.

This outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus (Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense), one of three species of orthoebolaviruses known to cause disease in humans. Prior to this outbreak, there have only been two outbreaks of the disease caused by Bundibugyo virus: Uganda in 2007 and the DRC in 2012.

The first currently known suspected case in this outbreak was a health worker who first reported symptoms on 24 April 2026. The WHO was alerted to an outbreak of an unknown illness with high mortality in the Ituri Province on 5 May 2026. Subsequent laboratory testing confirmed Bundibugo virus in 8 out of 13 samples on 15 May 2026. This is the seventeenth Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

As of 19 May 2026, at least 536 suspected cases, 105 probable cases, 34 laboratory-confirmed cases, and 134 deaths have been reported by the DRC and Uganda Ministries of Health. This includes 2 confirmed cases in Uganda in people who traveled from the DRC. No further spread has been reported in Uganda.[31]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ebola disease: current situation​. May 2026 [internet publication]. https://www.cdc.gov/ebola/situation-summary/index.html

The situation is rapidly developing, and you should consult your local public health authority for current information on the situation. Information is available from the WHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

• ​WHO: disease outbreak news Opens in new window

• ​CDC: Ebola disease: current situation Opens in new window

• UK Health Security Agency: Ebola and Marburg haemorrhagic fevers - outbreaks and case locations Opens in new window

There are a number of reasons for the WHO declaring a PHEIC for this outbreak including:[32]World Health Organization. Epidemic of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda determined a public health emergency of international concern. May 2026 [internet publication]. https://www.who.int/news/item/17-05-2026-epidemic-of-ebola-disease-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-and-uganda-determined-a-public-health-emergency-of-international-concern

• Significant uncertainty about the true number of infected people and geographic spread at the present time. Also, there is limited understanding of the epidemiologic links with known or suspected cases. Early data point toward a potentially much larger outbreak than what is being detected and reported.

• Cases have already been reported in Uganda; therefore, neighboring countries such as South Sudan are considered to be at high risk of further spread.

• There is ongoing insecurity and a humanitarian crisis in the region.

• There are currently no known vaccines or specific therapeutics for Bundibugyo virus.

The case fatality rate for disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus ranges from 30% to 50%, according to the WHO, although data vary based on whether laboratory-confirmed cases or suspected cases were used to calculate the rate.

The WHO has not advised any travel restrictions. However, travel notices are in place for the DRC and Uganda in some countries, and you should check your local government guidance for more information before traveling to these regions. Enhanced travel screening and entry restrictions have been instituted in countries outside of East and Central Africa.

See Epidemiology

Original source of update