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

This page is updated as more information becomes available. It was last updated on 17 July at 14:15.

Up until 16 July 2026, the Ebola disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus is affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

On 16 July 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported a total of 2 124 confirmed cases, including 828 related deaths (from data up until 15 July). A total of 725 patients are hospitalised in isolation. This represents an increase of 51 new confirmed cases and 32 deaths since the previous report of 15 July (reporting data up until 14 July).

The 51 new cases have been reported from Ituri (41 cases) and North Kivu (10 cases).

Among the individuals that tested positive for Bundibugyo virus, 390 have recovered. In total 80.3% of identified case contacts are under follow-up in the Ituri, North Kivu and Tshopo provinces.

Ituri province remains the most affected, with 1 904 cases, including 692 deaths, reported from 27 of 36 health zones. In North Kivu, 199 cases, including 119 deaths, have been reported from 11 of 34 health zones. In South Kivu, three cases, including one death, have been reported from one of 34 health zones. In Haut-Uele, 14 cases (including 13 deaths) have been reported from four of 13 health zones and in Tshopo four cases (including three deaths) from three of 23 health zones. Overall, 46 of 140 health zones are currently affected across the five provinces.

According to WHO Africa Region situation report reporting on data as of 12 July 2026, 92.3% of 430 deaths investigated until 5 July 2026 occurred in the community or before admission to a health facility and this reflects delays in detection, referral, isolation and access to care.

Up until 14 July 2026, a total of 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths, have been reported by Uganda’s Ministry of Health. The last confirmed case was reported on 21 June, and no new cases have been reported since then. Seventeen individuals have recovered. Among the confirmed cases, 15 had travel links to DRC and five were associated with local transmission events. Among the confirmed cases, 15 had travel links to DRC and five were associated with local transmission events.

On 16 July, Uganda discharged the last Ebola patient who had been receiving treatment at the Mulago National Referral Isolation Centre. Uganda’s Ministry of Health announced the start of the 42-day countdown to declaring the end of the outbreak.

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 (EU/EEA) 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.