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Central/Eastern Africa: Ebola Outbreak - May 2026

Event time: Last updated: 8 min ago DR Congo
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On 15 May 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared its 17th Ebola disease outbreak after laboratory testing confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease in Ituri Province. Uganda simultaneously confirmed an outbreak following the detection of imported cases from the DRC. On 17 May, WHO determined that the multi-country outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As of 21 May, the DRC had reported 746 suspected cases, including 176 deaths, and 83 confirmed cases, including nine deaths. Transmission was concentrated in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, particularly in Mongbwalu, Rwampara and Bunia health zones. Insecurity, population movements, weak contact follow-up and inadequate isolation and referral systems complicated the response. ([WHO, 21 May 2026](https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/disease-outbreak-news-ebola-disease-caused-bundibugyo-virus-democratic-republic-congo-21-may-2026))

The IFRC launched a CHF 29.5 million regional Emergency Appeal in May to support the Red Cross societies of the DRC, Uganda and neighbouring countries. The response focused on community-based surveillance and early detection, safe and dignified burials, infection prevention and control, emergency health services, risk communication, community engagement and preparedness in countries at risk of cross-border transmission. ([IFRC, 3 Aug 2026](https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/ifrc-scales-ebola-response-drc-critical-supplies-reach-frontline-teams))

On 9 June 2026, the Emergency Relief Coordinator activated the IASC System-Wide Scale-Up Protocol for the Control of Infectious Disease Events in response to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC. The activation was intended to strengthen collective leadership, coordination, operational capacity and accountability as transmission expanded in a context of conflict, displacement and restricted humanitarian access. ([IASC, 10 Jun 2026](https://reliefweb.int/report/democra

Measurements

Coordinates-4.0383, 21.7587
RegionDemocratic Republic of the Congo
Reliefweb Statusongoing
Reliefweb TypeEpidemic

Reported by

Disaster reports from ReliefWeb, a service of UN OCHA

This is situation reporting from a humanitarian organisation, not a warning issued to the public.

Not rated by source. ReliefWeb (UN OCHA) does not publish a severity for this; the level shown is our own classification.

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Source updated 8 minutes ago (Oct 19, 2026 19:44 UTC) · we last heard from ReliefWeb (UN OCHA) 8 minutes ago

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