Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda
This page is updated as more information becomes available. It was last updated 21 May 18:00.
On 15 May 2026, Africa CDC reported an outbreak of Ebola disease in Ituri Province, DRC. Laboratory analysis at Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale of DRC identified Bundibugyo virus (BDBV). BDBV disease is a rare disease but can cause outbreaks with high case fatality rates. Considering the available information, complicated context and the uncertainties on the epidemiological information WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May 2026. Africa CDC declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on 18 May 2026.
According to the World Health Organisation as of 20 May 2026, approximately 600 suspected cases had been reported, including 139 deaths among suspected cases. Fifty-one confirmed cases had been reported in DRC and two imported cases in Uganda (WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda – 20 May 2026).
Although information remains limited, we assess the likelihood of infection for people living in the EU/EEA to be very low. ECDC continues to monitor the situation closely and will update its assessment as new information becomes available.
Areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda affected by the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak, using data available as at 18 May 2026
