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

On 27 August 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) published a situation update reporting a total of 5 794 confirmed cases, including 2 786 related deaths (from data up until 26 August).  A total of 843 patients are hospitalised in isolation. This represents an increase of 81 new confirmed cases and 42 deaths since the previous report on 26 August (reporting data up until 25 August). In total, 82.3% of identified case contacts are under follow-up in the affected provinces. 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.

On 27 August, the Minister of Public Health of the DRC launched a vaccination campaign for frontline workers against Ebola virus disease using the ERVEBO vaccine in Kisangani. The campaign is primarily being implemented in the affected provinces of Tshopo, Bas-Uele and Haut-Uele.

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.

The next epidemiological update will be published on 31 August 2026.

Areas affected by the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak