On 5 May 2026, WHO was alerted of a cluster of unknown febrile illnesses with a high mortality rate in Mongbwalu and Rwampara Health Zones, Ituri Province. Following investigation by rapid response teams, the cause was confirmed to be Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) due to Bundibugyo virus (Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense) - a species of Ebola virus - on 15 May with 8/13 positive samples from Rwampara.
On 15 May 2026, the DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak, affecting Rwampara, Mongbwalu, and Bunia Health Zones. Uganda subsequently confirmed two imported cases. On 16 May 2026, WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
As of 20 May 2026 (WHO press releaset):
- More than 600 suspected cases (>500 in DRC, 12 in Uganda) and 139 suspected deaths (131 in DRC, 1 in Uganda. Most suspected cases were reported in Mongbwalu (302 cases, 74 deaths) and Rwampara (136 cases, 74 deaths), Ituri Province.
- 35 confirmed cases (33 in DRC, 2 in Uganda), including 5 deaths (4 in DRC, 1 in Uganda), corresponding to a CFR of 14.3% (5/35). In DRC, confirmed cases were reported in four health zones in Ituri Province — Rwampara (19), Bunia (6), Nyankunde (4), and Mongbwalu (1) — and three health zones in North Kivu: Butembo (1), Goma (1), and Katwa (1).
WHO expects those numbers to keep increasing, given the amount of time the virus was circulating before the outbreak was detected.
Further cases:
- The US citizen that has tested positive has been transferred to Germany (with six high risk contacts). One contact will be transferred to Czechia.
- 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.
- 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.
- Genomes from DRC and Uganda have been published and preliminary analysis shows distinct
sequences from the previous outbreaks (Virological Ebolavirus/Bundibugyo ebolavirus, 18 May 2026).
Authorities are concerned about the risk of further spread due to population high mobility, insecurity, and the proximity of affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan through a porous border.
The D.R. Congo has experienced several Ebola outbreaks in recent years. The most recent outbreak, in the Kasai provinces (species Orthoebolavirus zairense), was declared over in December 2025. In Ituri Province specifically, Ebola disease due to Ebola virus (Orthoebolavirus zairense) was last documented during the 2018-2020 outbreak. Bundibugyo virus was first reported in 2007 in Bundibugyo district in Uganda during an outbreak. The most recent outbreak due to Bundibugyo virus was in 2012 in DRC.
WHO assesses the risk of the epidemic as high at the national and regional levels, and low at the global level (including Switzerland and EU/EEW).
The outbreak was first detected in a remote and conflict-affected area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are significant uncertainties to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread associated with this event at the present time. In addition, there is limited understanding of the epidemiological links with known or suspected cases.
People visiting affected areas in D.R. Congo and Uganda should follow these precautions:
General preventive measures:
- Wash hands regularly and carefully using soap and water (or alcohol gel if soap is unavailable).
- Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.
- Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.
- Avoid visiting healthcare facilities in the filovirus-affected areas for nonurgent medical care or non-medical reasons.
- Avoid contact with dead bodies or items that have been in contact with dead bodies, participating in funeral or burial rituals, or attending a funeral or burial.
- Avoid handling, cooking, or eating bush/wild meat (meat of wild/feral mammals killed for food).
- Wash and peel fruit and vegetables before consumption.
- Avoid visiting mines or bat caves and contact with all wild animals; alive or dead, particularly bats.
- If visiting mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies, wear gloves and other appropriate protective clothing, including masks and eye protection.
- Practice safer sex.
Of note: there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment against Ebola diseased caused by Bundibugyo virus. For humanitarian missions, consultation with a travel medicine specialist is recommended.
While in the outbreak area and for 21 days after leaving:
- Watch for symptoms.
- Follow quarantine measures by your local health authorities if applicable.
! In case of symptoms (during your stay in North-eastern D.R. Congo (province of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu) and /or Uganda, especially the affected area, or until 21 days after leaving) such as fever >38° C:
- Separate yourself from others (isolate) immediately.
- Do not travel.
- Contact by phone local health authorities or a healthcare facility for advice (e.g. tropical institute or travel clinic or university hospital infectious disease unit).
- Always state that you may have had a possible exposure to Ebola (incubation period: 2-21 days).
- As soon as you know that you are NOT a suspected case, go to a tropical / travel clinic, or to the hospital if severe, to get a malaria test (and other investigations If necessary).
Swiss recommendation: Cases should be suspected (see case definition of FOPH) in persons with a history of stay in the last 21 days in North-eastern D.R. Congo (province of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu) and/or Uganda AND a high-risk exposure*; such cases should be reported to the Cantonal Physician and Swiss Federal Office of Public Health within 2 hours.
*High-risk exposure includes participation in local funerals; contact with a sick patient at home, during transport, or in a healthcare facility; or attendance at a local healthcare facility for care.