OUTBREAK of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda with a total of 536 suspected cases, 105 probable cases, 34 confirmed cases, and 134 suspected deaths so far.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency following confirmation of cross border transmission after confirmed cases were identified in individuals travelling to Uganda from the DRC.
Rising Concerns Over Untreatable Ebola Strain and Regional Spread
The outbreak was genetically identified as Bundibugyo virus, one of four types of orthoebolaviruses known to cause Ebola disease in humans. Unlike the more common Zaire strains of Ebola there are currently no approved vaccines for this strain, although two potential candidate vaccines have been identified it could take months before it reaches clinical trial.
WHO warns that the current spread may be significantly larger than the current figures suggest with high positivity in initial samples, confirmed cases in Kampala, and increasing trends in suspected cases and clusters of deaths across Ituri. Unexplained community deaths and infections among healthcare workers also raised concerns about healthcare-associated transmission and gaps in infection prevention measures.
According to public health officials, most cases identified so far have occurred in adults aged 20–39 years, with approximately two-thirds involving women.
CDC Expands Ebola Screening and Preparedness Measures
WHO advises neighbouring countries to strengthen surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, and border screening due to the high risk of regional spread associated with population mobility and ongoing humanitarian instability in eastern DRC.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security enforced entry restrictions and enhanced travel screening to prevent Ebola from entering the US amid the outbreaks.
Further response efforts are expected to focus on infection control, case isolation, community engagement, and accelerated research into investigational Bundibugyo virus treatments and vaccines. While the outbreak was deemed a public health emergency, it did not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency.
Reference
World Health Organization (WHO). 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. 17 May 2026. Available at: 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. Last accessed: 21 May 2026.
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