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

On 1 September 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported a total of 6 186 confirmed cases, including 3 007 related deaths (from data up until 31 August).  A total of 830 patients are hospitalised in isolation. This represents an increase of 86 new confirmed cases and 57 deaths since the previous report on 31 August (reporting data up until 30 August). The 86 new cases have been reported from Ituri (49 cases), North Kivu (32 cases), and Haut Uele (five cases). Among the individuals that tested positive for Bundibugyo virus, 1 409 have recovered. In total, 88% of identified case contacts are under follow-up in the affected provinces.  

Ituri province remains the most affected, with 5 065 cases, including 2 305 deaths, reported from 28 of 36 health zones. In North Kivu, 868 cases, including 589 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, 227 cases, including 100 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. 

In Uganda, a total of 20 cases were reported between May and June 2026 by the Ministry of Health. On 25 August, WHO declared the end of the outbreak 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