Source: European Union 2 Published on: 2026-05-26
This page is updated as more information becomes available. It was last updated 26 May 15:15. 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 the 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. As of 26 May 2026, the number of confirmed and suspected Ebola disease cases and deaths is increasing in the region and has, to date, affected two countries: DRC and Uganda.
According to the Ministry of Health of DRC on 25 May 2026 (data as of 24 May), a total of 105 confirmed cases (including 10 deaths) and 906 suspected cases (including 223 deaths) in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces (Situation report of DRC, 25 May 2026).
The confirmed cases have been reported from Ituri (94 confirmed cases; including at least four deaths), North Kivu (10 confirmed cases; including at least two deaths) and South Kivu (one confirmed death). Over 2 231 contacts have been identified to date, with a laboratory positivity rate of 35.6% in DRC.
Regarding contact tracing, the follow-up was approximately 20% as of the report on 24 May. Bunia airport, DRC, has been temporarily closed (Ministry of transport and communication, 23 May, Ministère de la Santé RDC on X). Media sources have reported local protests and arson attacks treatment centres from residents in DRC.
According to media on 22 May 2026, two tents in a section of a hospital treating Ebola disease patients has been burned by citizens. Uganda reported a total of seven confirmed cases, including one death (MoH on X).
Three of the reported cases are travel related and two are the contacts of the first case in Uganda. Uganda has postponed the large religious event – Martyr’s day that is normally taking place on 3 June; and suspended cross-border transport activities (Government of Uganda on X: 21 May 2025).
On 25 May, two suspected cases of Ebola disease were reported in Italy, regarding two individuals returning from Uganda to Lombardy. The individuals developed symptoms consistent with haemorrhagic fever and were hospitalised in isolation in Milan.
Laboratory testing ruled out Ebola infection. In an official statement, the Health Ministry stressed that the risk of Ebola in Italy remains very low. According to various sources, exit screening has been implemented in DRC, Uganda and South Sudan.
The Rwandan Ministry of Health has reinforced health screening and vigilance at land points of entry along the border with DRC. Enhanced entry control measures have been implemented at Kigali International Airport for inbound travellers to Rwanda (Rwanda MoH, 22 May on X).
Other countries, such as United States, Tunisia and Mauritius, have introduced entry restrictions and/or health screening protocols for individuals travelling from high-risk countries. 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. The weekly update on these events is available in the weekly communicable disease threats report.
Areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda affected by the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak Factsheet about Ebola disease Questions and answers about the current outbreak of Ebola disease How does Ebola disease spread?
Ebola disease interim case definition for reporting in the EU/EEA Risk to Europe remains very low as Ebola outbreak intensifies in DRC ECDC activates the EU Health Task Force, deploying experts to support Ebola outbreak response WHO declares Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern: ECDC continues monitoring ECDC monitoring Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Threat assessment brief: Ebola disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus – Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda – 2026