Ebola Situation Watch (2026) — Bundibugyo strain
Active Ebola virus disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo ebolavirus across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ituri province) and Uganda — PHEIC declared by WHO on 18 May 2026. Per WHO Situation Report dated 18 May 2026: 528 reported cases across both countries (2 lab-confirmed in Uganda, 526 under investigation), 132 deaths, 668 contacts identified (541 in DRC, 127 in Uganda). The DRC has opened three Ebola treatment centers in Ituri; the US State Department issued a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory for DRC; the US CDC has restricted entry from affected countries. South Sudan, South Africa and Germany are conducting contact tracing on returning travelers. No vaccine or monoclonal-antibody therapy is currently approved for the Bundibugyo strain. OutbreakWatch syncs counts every 2h via authoritative-source extraction (WHO, PAHO, Africa CDC, CDC, ECDC, ProMED, plus Reuters, AP, BBC, NYT, Washington Post, ANSA, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Süddeutsche, Tagesschau, Bloomberg, STAT News).
Geographic spread
Timeline
● 40 live updates mergedMost recent first. Curated milestones plus live news from around 50 sources, deduplicated.
- Jun 3, 2026live · responseAn Uncertain Path for Americans Exposed to Ebola
The Trump administration has not confirmed if it will allow Americans exposed to Ebola to return to the U.S. for monitoring and treatment, despite established procedures.
NYT Health → - Jun 3, 2026live · confirmed caseDRC Ebola outbreak could have begun as early as January, WHO chief says
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may have started as early as January, indicating the virus had a significant head start.
Guardian World → - Jun 3, 2026live · responseSpanje gelast oefenwedstrijd voor WK gekwalificeerde Congolese voetbalteam af vanwege ebola-uitbraak, VS eisen quarantaine - NRC
Spain canceled a World Cup qualifying practice match for the Congolese football team due to the Ebola outbreak, while the US is demanding quarantine measures.
NRC → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseKenya, proteste contro il centro Usa per la quarantena Ebola - Il Sole 24 ORE
Protests have erupted in Kenya against a US-run Ebola quarantine center, indicating public concern over the facility's presence.
Sole24Ore → - Jun 2, 2026live · confirmed caseWHO drastically downsizes Ebola case count in DR Congo outbreak - CIDRAP
The World Health Organization (WHO) has significantly reduced its reported Ebola case count in the Democratic Republic of Congo outbreak.
CIDRAP → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseU.S. Ebola Unit Plans in Kenya, Subject of Protests, Suffers New Setback From Court Ruling - The New York Times
Plans for a U.S. Ebola unit in Kenya have faced protests and a new setback due to a court ruling, indicating ongoing opposition and legal challenges to its establishment.
New York Times → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseHoe Uganda ebola klein houdt - NOS Stories
This headline discusses how Uganda is managing to contain Ebola, suggesting effective public health strategies are in place.
NOS → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseMayor cancels DR Congo friendly with Chile in Spain over Ebola concern
A friendly football match between DR Congo and Chile, scheduled to take place in Spain, has been cancelled due to health concerns related to the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo.
BBC World → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseAan de grens met Congo probeert Uganda van alles om ebola buiten de deur te houden - NOS
Uganda is implementing various measures at its border with Congo to prevent the spread of Ebola into the country.
NOS → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseTrump executive order directs CDC to ‘realign’ childhood vaccine recommendations - CIDRAP
A Trump executive order directs the CDC to 'realign' childhood vaccine recommendations, which is not directly related to Ebola.
CIDRAP → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseVolunteers serve comfort food in a worrying Ebola outbreak - AP News
Volunteers are providing comfort food to those affected by a worrying Ebola outbreak.
AP Health → - Jun 2, 2026live · tracingMeer tests in Congo, aantal vermoedelijke ebolabesmettingen fors minder - NOS
More tests are being conducted in Congo, leading to a significant decrease in the number of suspected Ebola infections.
NOS → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseKenyan president defends US Ebola quarantine center amid protests - AP News
The Kenyan president is defending a US Ebola quarantine center in Kenya amidst public protests.
AP Health → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseOnly the Right Tests Can Stop This Ebola Outbreak. Congo Has Hardly Any. - The New York Times
The Ebola outbreak in Congo is being hindered by a severe lack of necessary testing supplies, which are crucial for its containment.
New York Times → - Jun 2, 2026live · response‘We don’t have another country to run to’: Kenyans fear US plan for Ebola quarantine site
Kenyans are expressing fear and criticism over a US plan to establish an Ebola quarantine site for its citizens in a town in central Kenya, arguing it puts them at risk despite Kenya having no known Ebola cases.
Guardian World → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseWaarom een door VS gewenst centrum voor ebola-patiënten op Keniaanse vliegbasis is opgeschort. ‘Dit stinkt naar neokolonialisme’ - NRC
A US-desired Ebola patient center at a Kenyan airbase has been suspended, with critics calling it 'neocolonialism'.
NRC → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseWHO reports dramatic drop in suspected Ebola cases from over 900 to 116 - France 24
The World Health Organization reported a significant decrease in suspected Ebola cases, from over 900 to 116, suggesting a positive trend in controlling the outbreak.
France 24 → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseEbola: Dipartimento Protezione civile, oggi rientro team inviato in Congo - Il Sole 24 ORE
The Italian Civil Protection Department announced the return of its team from Congo today, indicating the completion of their mission related to Ebola.
Sole24Ore → - Jun 2, 2026live · deathKenia - Tote bei Protesten gegen Ebola-Quarantänestation - Politik - SZ.de - SZ.de
There have been deaths during protests against an Ebola quarantine station in Kenya.
Süddeutsche → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseEbola: riapre aeroporto Bunia epicentro epidemia in Repubblica Democratica Congo - Il Sole 24 ORE
Bunia airport, an epicenter of the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has reopened, suggesting a potential return to normalcy or improved control measures.
Sole24Ore → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseKenianer protestieren gegen geplantes Ebola-Quarantäne Zentrum der USA - Panorama - SZ.de - SZ.de
Kenyans are protesting against a planned Ebola quarantine center for US citizens.
Süddeutsche → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseDoden bij protesten tegen Amerikaans ebolacentrum in Kenia - NOS
Fatalities have occurred during protests against the establishment of an American Ebola center in Kenya.
NOS → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseTwo people shot dead amid Kenya protests against US Ebola quarantine centre plan
Two people were shot dead during protests in Kenya against a proposed US Ebola quarantine center plan, which has caused public anger and demonstrations near the facility site.
BBC World → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseKenya Ordered to Disclose Details of Ebola Center Deal With US - Bloomberg.com
Kenya has been ordered to disclose details of an Ebola center deal with the US.
Bloomberg → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseEbola may have spread beyond Africa. How are health authorities responding? - The Conversation
This article discusses how health authorities are responding to the potential spread of Ebola beyond Africa.
The Conversation → - Jun 2, 2026live · confirmed caseCross-border transmission of Ebola virus disease caused by Bundibugyo virus into Uganda, 2026 - The Lancet
The Bundibugyo virus, a cause of Ebola virus disease, has been transmitted across borders into Uganda in 2026.
The Lancet → - Jun 2, 2026live · responseCongo Reopens Main Airport in Ebola Epicenter as Officials Brace for Long Outbreak - Bloomberg.com
Congo has reopened its main airport in an Ebola epicenter as officials prepare for a prolonged outbreak.
Bloomberg → - Jun 1, 2026live · responseHow health workers in DR Congo are treating Ebola and staying safe
Health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are actively treating Ebola patients while implementing safety measures, particularly challenging given the lack of approved drugs for the Bundibugyo species responsible for the current outbreak.
BBC World → - Jun 1, 2026live · confirmed caseTwo possible Ebola cases in Brazil ruled out as patients test negative
Two possible Ebola cases in Brazil were ruled out after patients who recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda tested negative for the virus.
BBC World → - Jun 1, 2026live · confirmed caseEbola cases in Congo near 300 as more joyful stories from recovered medical workers emerge - AP News
Ebola cases in Congo are nearing 300, with more positive stories emerging from recovered medical workers.
AP Health → - Jun 1, 2026live · confirmed caseEbola, negativo il test del paziente rientrato in Sardegna dal Congo - Ministero della Salute
A patient who returned to Sardinia, Italy, from Congo tested negative for Ebola, alleviating concerns of a potential case.
Ministero Salute IT → - Jun 1, 2026live · responseEbola, venerdì riunione straordinaria ministri Salute Ue - Il Sole 24 ORE
An extraordinary meeting of EU Health Ministers is scheduled for Friday to discuss Ebola, indicating a coordinated European response to the outbreak.
Sole24Ore → - Jun 1, 2026live · responseEbola, proteste in Kenya per centro di quarantena per cittadini Usa - Il Sole 24 ORE
Protests have erupted in Kenya concerning a quarantine center for US citizens, reflecting local opposition to the facility amidst Ebola concerns.
Sole24Ore → - Jun 1, 2026live · responseHundreds of youths protest outside Kenya’s Ebola quarantine center for US citizens - AP News
Hundreds of youths are protesting outside Kenya’s Ebola quarantine center designated for US citizens.
AP Health → - Jun 1, 2026live · responseInside an Ebola Ward, and a Roadblock for Trump’s $1.8 Billion Fund - The New York Times
This headline provides an inside look at an Ebola ward and discusses a roadblock affecting Trump's $1.8 billion fund, likely related to Ebola response.
New York Times → - Jun 1, 2026live · confirmed caseFive patients recover from Ebola in DR Congo and leave hospital
Five patients, including four nurses, have recovered from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and have been discharged from the hospital.
BBC World → - Jun 1, 2026live · responseWHO-Chef besucht neues Ebola-Behandlungszentrum im Kongo - Panorama - SZ.de - SZ.de
The head of the WHO is visiting a new Ebola treatment center in Congo.
Süddeutsche → - Jun 1, 2026live · confirmed caseEbola, negativo test su paziente rientrato in Sardegna dal Congo - Il Sole 24 ORE
A patient who returned to Sardinia, Italy, from Congo tested negative for Ebola, confirming the absence of the virus in this suspected case.
Sole24Ore → - Jun 1, 2026live · tracingEbola, in corso accertamenti su caso sospetto in Sardegna - Ministero della Salute
Investigations are underway in Sardinia, Italy, regarding a suspected Ebola case, following a patient's return from Congo.
Ministero Salute IT → - Jun 1, 2026live · tracingBrazil isolates two suspected Ebola cases as suspected cases in Congo surpass 1,000 - France 24
Brazil has isolated two suspected Ebola cases, while the number of suspected cases in Congo has exceeded 1,000, highlighting the ongoing spread in Africa and potential for international transmission.
France 24 →
Key facts
- Active outbreak strain is Bundibugyo ebolavirus — confirmed by PAHO. There is no WHO-approved vaccine or monoclonal antibody therapy for this strain (Ervebo and the mAb therapies cover Zaire ebolavirus only).
- WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 18 May 2026.
- Adnkronos (19 May), AP Health, and Politico report a DRC Ebola death toll of 131 (+31 from prior estimate of 100). Africa CDC, CDC Newsroom and PAHO News confirm the outbreak severity in press briefings. South Sudan has confirmed cross-border spread; South Africa and Germany have initiated contact tracing. Precise confirmed-case count pending the next WHO Disease Outbreak News bulletin.
- DRC has opened three Ebola treatment centers in Ituri province.
- The United States has implemented Ebola screening for travelers at airports and other ports of entry.
- Ebola virus disease has historical case fatality rates of 25-90% depending on strain — Bundibugyo historically around 25-40%.
- Ebola is NOT airborne — transmission requires direct contact with body fluids or contaminated surfaces.
- Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the suspected natural reservoir.
- Incubation period is 2-21 days; people are not contagious until they develop symptoms.