WHO declares Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern: ECDC continues monitoring

According to WHO, as of 16 May 2026, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths have been reported in at least three health zones in Ituri Province in DRC. An additional two confirmed cases with a history of travel from DRC have also been reported in Uganda. Eight of 13 samples* collected in the Rwampara health zone, Ituri Province, DRC, have tested positive for Bundibugyo virus.

Community deaths among people with symptoms compatible with Ebola virus disease have been reported in Ituri Province, and suspected cases have been identified in both Ituri and North Kivu. Four deaths among healthcare workers have also been reported among people with symptoms consistent with viral haemorrhagic fever, raising concerns regarding healthcare-associated transmission. 

Information regarding transmission chains and affected population groups is currently limited, partly due to the complex context of ongoing insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the affected areas.

According to WHO, neighbouring countries sharing land borders with DRC are considered at high risk for further spread due to population mobility, trade and travel links, and uncertainty about the transmission chains. The outbreak may also be larger than currently detected. 

There are also concerns related to this outbreak because it is caused by Bundibugyo virus rather than the more commonly detected Zaire ebolavirus. Unlike for Zaire ebolavirus, there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease. 

Considering the available information, the likelihood of infection for people from the EU/EEA living in or travelling to Ituri Province is currently assessed as low. For people living in the EU/EEA, the likelihood of infection is considered very low, given the very low likelihood of importation and secondary transmission in Europe.

ECDC continues to monitor this outbreak through its epidemic intelligence activities and is in close contact with key partners, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the European Commission, and WHO. ECDC is also in discussions with partners regarding a potential role for the EU Health Task Force. 

ECDC’s assessment will be updated as new information becomes available.

* Following a correction published by WHO, the number of collected and tested samples has been updated in this news item, as compared to the numbers published on 16 May: ECDC monitoring Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo