The Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) 17th Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus and declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 17 May 2026, has been spreading across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, with confirmed cross-border transmission into the Ugandan capital, Kampala. Critical containment gaps, including insecurity and conflict, a contact follow-up rate well below the target level, infections among healthcare workers, deficiencies in infection prevention and control (IPC), and a funding shortfall, are sustaining transmission. The absence of an approved vaccine for this species of ebolavirus limits the range of available countermeasures.  On 2 June 2026, WHO reported that the number of suspected cases in the DRC had decreased compared to previous reports after many were ruled out through investigation and testing. This decline reflects case reclassification rather than necessarily reduced transmission. D.R. Congo: data as of 04 June 2026 (for updates see WHO dashboard and ECDC): Cases: 379 confirmed and 303 suspected cases. Confirmed cases have been reported from Ituri (> 340 confirmed cases in 17 health zones), North Kivu (19 confirmed cases in seven health zones) and South Kivu provinces (three cases from one health zone),Deaths: 63 confirmed and 259 suspected deaths.Active cases: 238 confirmed cases.Recoveries: 6 cases.Contacts: The overall contact follow-up rate in the DRC was 43.6%, below the operational target of 95%. Operational update: Bunia airport in Ituri Province reopened after a previous suspension of passenger flights. Screening measures have been put in place.Operational challenges: Information regarding transmission chains and affected population groups is currently limited, partly due to the complex context of ongoing insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the affected areas.  Uganda: data as of 04 June 2026 (for updates see WHO dashboard and ECDC): Cases, deaths: a total of 16 confirmed cases, including one death have been reported. Location: At least seven cases were associated with local transmission events and four with travel links to DRC, according to health officials. Of nine cases with known geographical information, eight cases were reported in Kampala, except one case that was reported in the neighbouring district of Wakiso. Three of the cases have travel links to DRC and five are contacts linked to the first two cases, including 3 healthcare workers.Contacts: As of 02 June, 668 contacts have been identified and are being closely monitored / followed up. Outside Africa: One confirmed BVD case involving a US surgeon is still hospitalized in Berlin, Germany as well as six contacts. Another contact was to be transferred to Czechia.Kenya investigated 22 Ebola alerts across nine counties, all of which tested negative. The country also strengthened surveillance, designated Ebola testing laboratories, expanded isolation capacity at national and county levels, and enhanced screening at priority points of entry.Several symptomatic travellers from affected areas have been tested in EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA countries, all of which were negative so far. Entry and exit screenings and control measures: Several countries and territories reported additional border health or travel-related measures. For most UpToDate information, see IATA LINK. New documents related to the BVD outbreak in DRC and Uganda: Experts convened by WHO advise on candidate treatments and vaccines for Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virusWHO Technical Advisory Group on candidate vaccine prioritization: meeting report, 19 and 25 May 2026 (28. May 2026)WHO emergency guidance on the use of licensed Ebola virus vaccine during Bundibugyo virus disease outbreaks, 28 May 2026WHO Technical Advisory Group on therapeutics prioritization for Bundibugyo virus disease: meeting report, 20 and 26 May 2026ECDC: Ebola disease interim case definition for reporting in the EU/EEAECDC: Rapid ECDC advice on infection prevention and control measures for Ebola disease in EU/EEA healthcare settings (02 June 2026)ECDC: Laboratory guidance and resources for Ebola disease outbreak in DRCECDC: Risk assessment guidelines for infectious diseases transmitted on aircraft (RAGIDA) – Ebola disease update (30 May 2026) ECDC: Questions and answers about the current outbreak of Ebola disease (29 May 2026)  

 On 15 May 2026, the DRC declared a Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, while Uganda reported two imported cases. WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 16 May, see EpiNews 21.5 2026. As of 26 May 2026: D.R. Congo: Cases: More than 1’100 cases (>1000 suspected, >120 confirmed cases). Confirmed cases have been reported from Ituri (110 confirmed cases), North Kivu (11 confirmed cases) and South Kivu provinces (one confirmed death).Deaths: 246 suspected and 17 confirmed deaths. Of the confirmed deaths, 14 deaths were individuals over 15 years of age, while three were under 15.Location: Cases have been reported in three provinces: Ituri (16 health zones), North Kivu (2 health zones), and South Kivu (1 health zone).Contacts: As of 25 May, more than 2’231 contacts have been identified, with approximately 20% under follow-up. The laboratory test positivity rate in DRC is currently 30.0%.Operational update: Bunia airport, DRC, has been temporarily closed.Operational challenges: Information regarding transmission chains and affected population groups is currently limited, partly due to the complex context of ongoing insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the affected areas.Several sources have reported local protests and arson attacks targeting treatment centres with escape of at least 25 suspected cases. Citizens burned two tents in a hospital section treating Ebola patients. Volunteers have also faced intimidation and threats from armed groups in Bunia.WHO expects those numbers to keep increasing, given the amount of time the virus was circulating before the outbreak was detected. Uganda:Cases, deaths: a total of seven confirmed cases, including one death have been reported. Three of the cases have travel links to DRC and five are contacts linked to the first two cases, including 3 healthcare workers.Location: Cases have been diagnosed and are hospitalized in Kampala.Contacts: As of 24 May, 311 contacts linked to the confirmed cases have been identified and are being closely monitored and followed up. Further cases:One confirmed BVD case involving a US surgeon who had worked in the affected area in DRC was transferred to Germany and is hospitalised in Berlin alongside six high-risk contacts. One additional contact was transferred to the Czech Republic. On 27 May, an asymptomatic Italian doctor returning from Ituri (DRC) after exposure to confirmed cases was placed in quarantine in Rome.South Sudan is investigating a suspected Bundibugyo virus disease case in West Equatoria State after a preliminary positive result in a patient from South Yambio County. Exit screening and control measures:Regional: Exit screening and health control measures have been implemented for travellers from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan.Uganda has ceased air travel to DRC, closed multiple border crossings, and increased border crossing screenings (LINK).Rwanda: Reinforced health screening at land border crossings with DRC and enhanced entry screening at Kigali International Airport for inbound travellers to Rwanda.United States: Introduced enhanced entry screening measures and established a regional Ebola quarantine and treatment facility in Kenya for exposed or infected US citizens.Canada: Temporary entry restrictions for residents of DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan effective from 27 May for 90 days. From 30 May, asymptomatic Canadian citizens and residents returning from high-risk areas will be subject to a 21-day quarantine.For other countries, see IATA LINK which will be constantly updated.