Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda

On 31 August 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported a total of 6 100 confirmed cases, including 2 950 related deaths (from data up until 30 August).  A total of 814 patients are hospitalised in isolation. This represents an increase of 59 new confirmed cases and 39 deaths since the previous report on 30 August (reporting data up until 29 August). The 59 new cases have been reported from Ituri (44 cases), North Kivu (eight cases), Haut Uele (six cases), and Bas Uele (one case). Among the individuals that tested positive for Bundibugyo virus, 1 383 have recovered. In total, 86.3% of identified case contacts are under follow-up in the affected provinces. 

Ituri province remains the most affected, with 5 016 cases, including 2 274 deaths, reported from 28 of 36 health zones. In North Kivu, 836 cases, including 566 deaths, have been reported from 15 of 34 health zones. In South Kivu, three cases, including one death, have been reported from one of 34 health zones. In Haut-Uele, 222 cases, including 97 deaths, have been reported from six of 13 health zones. In Tshopo, 19 cases, including nine deaths, have been reported from seven of 23 health zones. In Bas Uele, four cases, including three deaths, have been reported from three of 11 health zones. Overall, 60 of 151 health zones are currently affected across the six provinces. 

Data reported by DRC on confirmed cases and deaths are under continuous review and harmonisation. 

As of 28 July 2026, a total of 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths, have been reported by the Ministry of Health in Uganda. The last confirmed case was reported on 21 June and no new cases have been reported since then. On 16 July, Uganda discharged the last Ebola patient who had been receiving treatment at the Mulago National Referral Isolation Centre. On 28 July 2026, 12 days since the last case was discharged, the Uganda's Ministry of Health declared the end of the Ebola disease outbreak. On 26 August, WHO declared the end of the Ebola disease outbreak in Uganda following 42 days without a new confirmed case being reported.

In May 2026, there was an imported case in a US citizen who was medically evacuated to Germany for treatment, and on 24 June 2026 a further imported case was reported in France by the Ministry of Health. Both cases were imported from areas affected by the ongoing outbreak in DRC. On 10 July 2026, the US CDC reported that a US citizen working for a humanitarian organisation in DRC had tested positive for Bundibugyo virus. The patient was medically evacuated to Germany on 13 July 2026. 

Although there are still significant gaps in surveillance and epidemiology, the likelihood of infection for people living in the European Union/European Economic Area is considered to be very low. ECDC continues to monitor the situation closely and will update its assessment as new information becomes available.

A weekly update on this outbreak is available in the Communicable disease threats report.

Areas affected by the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak