Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda
- Countries / areas
- Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda
- First notice
- 2026-05-16
- Latest notice
- 2026-07-17
- Notices
- 7
Official summary (original text)
The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains active, with sustained transmission driving increases in reported cases and deaths. As of 15 July 2026, a cumulative total of 2124 confirmed cases, including 828 deaths, have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 13 July 2026, German authorities informed WHO of a laboratory-confirmed case of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in a humanitarian worker from the United States of America who was medically evacuated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is the second United States citizen to be treated in Germany, reflecting the ongoing international response efforts.
In Uganda no new cases have been reported since 21 June 2026. The most recent case was discharged from the treatment centre on 16 July after two negative tests results. The country has therefore begun the 42-day period of enhanced surveillance required before the end of the outbreak can be declared.
National authorities in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in collaboration with WHO and partners, continue to implement extensive response measures. A regional preparedness and prioritization framework continues to guide readiness activities across the African Region.
WHO risk assessment (original text)
On 6 June 2026, WHO reassessed the risk of the outbreak of BVD to incorporate newly available information and align with the WHO Temporary Recommendations. The risk for countries sharing land borders with countries with documented Bundibugyo virus detection, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda at the time of assessment, has been separated from the risk for other countries in the African Region.
The risk in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains assessed as very high due to ongoing transmission and the continued expansion of the outbreak into new health zones, increasing the potential for further national and regional spread.
The risk in Uganda is still assessed as high due to confirmed cross-border spread through imported cases and ongoing epidemiological links along the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo–western Uganda corridor, which has historically been affected by Ebola outbreaks, including Bundibugyo virus and Sudan virus disease.
The risk for countries sharing land borders with countries reporting BDBV detection is assessed as high due to sustained population mobility linked to cross-border trade and mining activities, variation in capacities and experience of BVD response, and variable levels of readiness.
The risk for the rest of the African region and at the global level is assessed as low.
For further information, please see the WHO Rapid Risk Assessment – Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and countries with land borders adjoining countries with documented BDBV detection v3.
Notice history
- · 2026-DON613
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda
Official summary (original text)
The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains active, with sustained transmission driving increases in reported cases and deaths. As of 15 July 2026, a cumulative total of 2124 confirmed cases, including 828 deaths, have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 13 July 2026, German authorities informed WHO of a laboratory-confirmed case of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in a humanitarian worker from the United States of America who was medically evacuated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is the second United States citizen to be treated in Germany, reflecting the ongoing international response efforts.
In Uganda no new cases have been reported since 21 June 2026. The most recent case was discharged from the treatment centre on 16 July after two negative tests results. The country has therefore begun the 42-day period of enhanced surveillance required before the end of the outbreak can be declared.
National authorities in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in collaboration with WHO and partners, continue to implement extensive response measures. A regional preparedness and prioritization framework continues to guide readiness activities across the African Region.
- · 2026-DON612
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda
Official summary (original text)
The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to evolve rapidly, with sustained transmission and increasing numbers of reported cases. As of 1 July, a cumulative of 1460 confirmed cases, including 452 deaths, have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of 2 July, Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases including two deaths, as well as one probable case who has died. In addition, on 24 June 2026, French authorities notified WHO of a laboratory-confirmed case of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in a medical doctor returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In Uganda, the outbreak remains epidemiologically linked to transmission originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with evidence of both imported infections and secondary transmission among contacts and healthcare workers. Uganda has not reported any new cases since 21 June 2026.
National authorities in the two affected countries, in collaboration with WHO and partners, are implementing an extensive set of response measures. A regional preparedness and prioritization framework continues to guide readiness activities across the African Region.
- · 2026-DON608
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda
Official summary (original text)
The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to evolve rapidly, with sustained transmission and increasing numbers of reported cases. As of 17 June, a cumulative of 896 confirmed cases, including 232 deaths, have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of 18 June, Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases including two deaths, as well as one probable case who has died.
In Uganda, the outbreak remains epidemiologically linked to transmission originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with evidence of both imported infections and secondary transmission among contacts and healthcare workers. Uganda has not reported any new cases since 5 June 2026.
National authorities in the two affected countries, in collaboration with WHO and partners, are implementing an extensive set of response measures. A regional preparedness and prioritization framework continues to guide readiness activities across the African Region.
- · 2026-DON607
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda
Official summary (original text)
The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to evolve rapidly, with increasing case numbers and geographic spread. As of 10 June, a cumulative of 676 confirmed cases, including 136 deaths, have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of 11 June, Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases including two deaths, as well as one probable case who has died.
In Uganda, the outbreak remains epidemiologically linked to transmission originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with evidence of both imported infections and secondary transmission among contacts and healthcare workers. Uganda has not reported any new cases in the past six days.
National authorities in the two affected countries, in collaboration with WHO and partners, are implementing a comprehensive package of response measures. A regional preparedness and prioritization framework continues to guide readiness activities across the African Region.
- · 2026-DON606
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda
Official summary (original text)
The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to evolve rapidly, with increasing case numbers, geographic spread, and cross-border transmission to Uganda. As of 6 June, a total of 515 confirmed cases, with 91 deaths among these confirmed cases, have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases including two deaths, as well as one probable case who has died.
In Uganda, the outbreak remains epidemiologically linked to transmission originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with evidence of both imported infections and secondary transmission among contacts and healthcare workers.
National authorities, in collaboration with WHO and partners, are undertaking a wide-ranging package of response measures.
On 5 June, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and WHO, together with partners, launched a joint Ebola continental preparedness and response plan, with an ask of US$ 518 million to support African countries to prepare for, rapidly detect and respond to the outbreak.
- · 2026-DON605
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda
Official summary (original text)
The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda continues to evolve rapidly, with increasing case numbers, geographic spread, and ongoing cross-border transmission. As of 27 May, a total of 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths among suspected cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of 29 May, a total of 134 confirmed cases, including nine in Uganda, with 18 deaths among the confirmed cases, have been reported across both countries. This is an additional 49 confirmed cases, eight confirmed deaths, 160 suspected cases and 47 suspected deaths since the last update on 21 May. In addition, there is one confirmed case, an individual from the United States of America, who had treated patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is currently receiving care in Germany.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, transmission is concentrated in Ituri, as well as North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, with challenges in contact tracing and follow-up, insecurity, inadequate isolation, care, and referral systems for patients complicating response efforts.
National authorities, in collaboration with WHO and partners, are implementing response measures including deployment of rapid response teams, delivery of medical supplies, strengthened surveillance, laboratory confirmation, infection prevention and control, the set-up of safe and optimized treatment centers, and community engagement.
- · 2026-DON602
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda
Official summary (original text)
On 5 May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) was alerted of a high-mortality outbreak of unknown illness in Mongbwalu Health Zone, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including deaths among health workers.
On 14 May 2026, the Institut national de recherche biomédicale (INRB) Kinshasa analyzed 13 blood samples from Rwampara Health Zone, Ituri Province. Laboratory analysis confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) in eight of these samples on 15 May, a species of Ebola.
The case fatality rates in the past two BVD outbreaks have ranged from 30% to 50%. Unlike Ebola virus disease, there is no licensed vaccine or specific therapeutics against Bundibugyo virus, though early supportive care is lifesaving.
On 15 May 2026, the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare, DRC, officially declared the 17th Ebola Disease outbreak in DRC. Concurrently, the Uganda Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of BVD following the identification of one imported case from DRC, a Congolese man who died in the capital city of Kampala.
On 17 May 2026, WHO Director-General, after having consulted the States Parties where the event is known to be currently occurring, determined that the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in DRC and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), as defined in the provisions of IHR.
Response measures include deployment of rapid response teams, delivery of medical supplies, strengthened surveillance, laboratory confirmation, infection prevention and control assessments, the set-up of safe treatment centers, and community engagement. WHO is supporting the coordination of the response, case management, and cross-border preparedness. WHO advice has been issued to countries.
Ebola disease
A severe, often fatal illness caused by orthoebolaviruses (e.g. Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo), occurring in outbreaks mainly in sub-Saharan Africa.
