Ebola outbreaks confirmed in DRC and Uganda; no vaccine or treatment available

Health authorities confirmed Ebola outbreaks caused by the Bundibugyo species in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Uganda during May 2026. No vaccine or specific treatment exists for the virus, though testing of candidate products continues. The outbreaks are unfolding amid a humanitarian crisis, remote and densely populated areas, insecurity, and high population and trade movements.

WHO is expanding support to both governments by strengthening surveillance, contact tracing, clinical preparedness and management, supply delivery, community engagement, and cross-border preparedness. Africa CDC and WHO launched a joint continental Ebola response plan on 5 June 2026. A continental preparedness and response plan covering June through November 2026 has also been issued.

A joint statement by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and WHO was released on 31 May 2026. Experts convened by WHO advised on candidate treatments and vaccines for Bundibugyo virus Ebola disease on 28 May 2026. WHO published guidelines for the clinical management of filovirus disease on 11 June 2026.

The organization issued a Rapid Risk Assessment for Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda on 9 June 2026. WHO Director-General delivered remarks at a virtual roundtable on the outbreak on 12 June 2026. The WHO Health Emergencies Programme hosted an EPI-WIN webinar titled "Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease: what we know" on 9 June 2026.

"There are many challenges in the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in DRC, but as the response gets a toehold, under the government's leadership, there are positives: communities are working together, new laboratories are open, and some patients have recovered and have been discharged," WHO Executive Director for the Health Emergencies Programme Chikwe I said after spending three weeks in the country.