Key facts
- Between 19 May and 4 November 2026, the EU Health Task Force (EUHTF) deployed experts to DRC, Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan to support preparedness and response efforts related to the Ebola disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus. The deployments were conducted in close coordination with national authorities, EU delegations, the European Commission and the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Deployments supporting Africa CDC at its headquarters and within the Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST) were conducted under the ‘Health Security and One Health in Africa – Africa CDC’ project, funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA).The deployments to South Sudan and the DRC were facilitated through the Global Outbreak Alert and Responses Network (GOARN) and funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).
Overview
Between 19 May and 4 November 2026, the EUHTF supported preparedness and response efforts related to the Ebola disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus. These activities are being conducted in close coordination with national authorities and EU delegations, and in collaboration with the European Commission and WHO.
Nigeria – EU Delegation in Abuja
Between 26 October and 4 November, three ECDC experts were deployed to Nigeria to provide advice and technical support to the EU Delegation in Abuja.
DRC – WHO Incident Management Team in Bunia
Between 22 September and 4 November, two ECDC experts were deployed through the Global Outbreak Alert and Responses Network (GOARN), to provide epidemiological support to WHO operations in Bunia, Ituri Province and DRC. The deployments were financed with funds made available by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection (DG ECHO).
Africa CDC and Continental Incident Management Support Team
Between 19 May and 31 October 2026 five experts were deployed on a rotational basis to support Africa CDC at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, and seven experts were deployed to support Africa CDC within the Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST) in Uganda. The experts provided support for surveillance, preparedness and liaison activities. The deployments were part of the project 'Health Security and One Health in Africa – Africa CDC' in partnership with ECDC and EFSA (PHASE II), funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA).
South Sudan – WHO Country Office
Between 16 June and 8 July 2026, an ECDC Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) expert was deployed to WHO's country office in Juba, South Sudan, in response to a request for assistance from GOARN. The expert supported the implementation of the country's RCCE field plan to strengthen community engagement and address priority risk communication and community engagement gaps in areas considered at high risk of importation and transmission. Between 14 July and 27 August 2026, two ECDC fellows were also deployed through GOARN, to support surveillance and data analysis activities. All deployments to South Sudan were funded by DG ECHO.
Fact-finding mission to the DRC and Uganda
Between 15 and 22 June 2026, the EUHTF deployed a team of three ECDC experts and two EU Member State experts to Kinshasa (DRC) and Kampala (Uganda) to conduct a Point of Entry fact-finding mission to evaluate the implementation and operational performance of exit-screening procedures.