The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) following a fast-growing outbreak of a rare Ebola strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with confirmed cross-border transmission into Uganda.
Health officials say the outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo virus species, a less common but highly dangerous strain of Ebola for which no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment currently exists.
According to WHO and regional health authorities, the outbreak began on May 5, 2026, in the Mongbwalu health zone of northeastern Ituri Province after reports of a cluster of unexplained deaths. Laboratory sequencing later confirmed the presence of the Bundibugyo virus by mid-May.
As of late May 2026, health agencies report:
- Over 670 suspected cases in the DRC
- More than 60 confirmed infections
- Around 160 reported deaths
- At least two confirmed cases in Uganda, including one fatality in Kampala involving individuals who had travelled from the DRC
The WHO says case numbers remain fluid as surveillance continues in remote and conflict-affected areas.
Public health experts have raised concern over the absence of targeted medical countermeasures. Existing Ebola vaccines, including those used for the more common Zaire strain, do not provide protection against the Bundibugyo variant.
As a result, treatment efforts are currently limited to supportive care such as hydration, fever management, and infection control.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), described the situation as highly alarming, warning of mounting pressure on already strained health systems across the region
The WHO has classified the risk level in the DRC as “very high,” citing multiple factors complicating containment efforts.
These include ongoing insecurity in parts of Ituri Province, limited access to remote communities, and active conflict involving armed groups, which continues to disrupt contact tracing and safe burial operations.
Health authorities also report infections among frontline medical workers, underscoring gaps in infection prevention and control in overstretched facilities.
The outbreak has also spread along major trade and mining routes linking cities such as Mongbwalu, Bunia, Goma, and Butembo, raising concerns about wider regional transmission.
Following confirmation of cases in Uganda, neighboring countries have been urged to strengthen surveillance at border crossings and transport hubs. The WHO warns that high population mobility across East Africa significantly increases the risk of further spread.
In response to the emergency declaration, the WHO has deployed medical supplies and released emergency funding to support containment efforts. Humanitarian agencies, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Africa CDC, are assisting local authorities with isolation centers, contact tracing, and community outreach on safe burial practices.
The PHEIC designation triggers a coordinated international response, including expanded funding, technical support, and potential acceleration of experimental vaccine research targeting the Bundibugyo strain.
Health officials continue to urge calm while emphasizing strict adherence to infection prevention measures, as efforts intensify to contain the outbreak before further regional spread occurs.
