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

On 8 August 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)reported a total of 4 209 confirmed cases, including 1 916 related deaths (from data up until 7 August). A total of 595 patients are hospitalised in isolation. This represents an increase of 89 new confirmed cases and 21 deaths since the previous report on 7 August (reporting data up until 6 August). The 89 new cases have been reported from Ituri (73 cases) North Kivu (12 cases) and Haut Uele (four cases). Among the individuals that tested positive for Bundibugyo virus, 828 have recovered. In total, 83.4% of identified case contacts are under follow-up in the Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele and Tshopo provinces. 

Ituri province remains the most affected, with 3 636 cases, including 1 551 deaths, reported from 28 of 36 health zones. In North Kivu, 470 cases, including 315 deaths, have been reported from 12 of 34 health zones. In South Kivu, three cases, including one death, have been reported from one of 34 health zones. In Haut-Uele, 91 cases (including 44 deaths) have been reported from six of 13 health zones and in Tshopo nine cases (including five deaths) have been reported from six of 23 health zones. Overall, 53 of 140 health zones are currently affected across the five 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, had 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, twelve days since the last case was discharged, Uganda's Ministry of Health declared the end of the Ebola disease 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.

The next epidemiological update will be published on 11 August 2026.

Areas affected by the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak