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

On 21 July 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported a total of 2 473 confirmed cases, including 999 related deaths (from data up until 20 July). A total of 737 patients are hospitalised in isolation. This represents an increase of 50 new confirmed cases and 32 deaths since the previous day. The 50 new cases have been reported from Ituri (27 cases) and North Kivu (five cases). Among the individuals that tested positive for Bundibugyo virus, 482 have recovered. In total 82% of identified case contacts are under follow-up in the Ituri, North Kivu and Tshopo provinces.

Ituri province remains the most affected, with 2 202 cases, including 838 deaths, reported from 28 of 36 health zones. In North Kivu, 247 cases, including 146 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, 16 cases (including 10 deaths) have been reported from four of 13 health zones and in Tshopo five cases (including four deaths) from three of 23 health zones. Overall, 47 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 17 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. 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. 

Areas affected by the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak