WHO Declares Ebola Disease Outbreak in DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency

The World Health Organization declared the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern on 16 May 2026. The declaration followed laboratory confirmation of the virus in eight of 13 blood samples collected in Ituri Province.

The Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare of the DRC had declared the country's 17th Ebola outbreak on 15 May.

As of 15 May, health authorities reported 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths across three health zones in Ituri Province: Rwampara, Mongbwalu, and Bunia. Twenty-four suspected cases remain in isolation facilities. The first known case, a health worker, developed symptoms on 24 April and died at a medical centre in Bunia.

Most suspected cases are adults aged 20 to 39, and females account for more than 60 percent of reported cases. Sixty-five contacts have been identified, of whom 15 are classified as high-risk. Follow-up of contacts has been limited by insecurity and movement restrictions in the affected areas.

Ministry of Health confirmed an imported case on 15 May involving an elderly man from the DRC who died in Kampala on 14 May. No local transmission has been identified in Uganda to date. The post-mortem transfer of the first case's body to the DRC was completed on 14 May.

Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe form of Ebola with no licensed vaccine or specific treatment. The case fatality rate in previous outbreaks ranged from 30 to 50 percent. Response activities include deployment of rapid response teams, delivery of medical supplies, strengthened surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention assessments, and establishment of safe treatment centres.

WHO is coordinating the international response and cross-border preparedness efforts.