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.
- Jul 17, 2026live · responseSeven Americans quarantining at Kenya Ebola facility after US travel ban, says aid group
Seven American aid workers who were in Congo to combat the Ebola outbreak are now quarantining at a new isolation facility in Kenya, following the US government's travel ban.
Guardian World → - Jul 16, 2026live · responseUganda calls for travel restrictions to be lifted after last Ebola patient discharged
Uganda has requested that travel restrictions related to Ebola be lifted after the last confirmed Ebola patient was discharged, beginning a 42-day countdown to the official end of the outbreak in the country.
Guardian World → - Jul 16, 2026live · response'Moment of joy' as Uganda discharges last Ebola patient
Uganda has discharged its last Ebola patient, marking a significant step towards ending the outbreak, with most recent cases linked to travelers from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
BBC World → - Jul 15, 2026live · deathEbola is spreading faster in eastern Congo than it can be tracked, as deaths pass 700 - NPR
Ebola is spreading faster in eastern Congo than it can be tracked, with the death toll surpassing 700.
NPR → - Jul 14, 2026live · tracingMajority of new Ebola cases in eastern Congo are from unknown chains, as outbreak outpaces response - STAT
A majority of new Ebola cases in eastern Congo are originating from unknown transmission chains, indicating that the outbreak is spreading faster than the current response efforts can track and contain it.
STAT News → - Jul 14, 2026live · responseStakingen doen ebolarespons in Congo wankelen, terwijl het virus zich in recordtempo verspreidt - de Volkskrant
Strikes are causing the Ebola response in Congo to falter, while the virus continues to spread at a record pace.
Volkskrant → - Jul 14, 2026live · responseNew US Ebola patient arrives in Germany for treatment
A US aid worker infected with Ebola has arrived in Germany for treatment in Berlin, as the Trump administration has prohibited Americans from traveling to the US on commercial flights if they have contracted the virus.
Guardian World → - Jul 13, 2026live · responseAfrica CDC calls for more protection for health workers as deadly Ebola outbreak shows no sign of slowing - CIDRAP
The Africa CDC is urging for enhanced protection for healthcare workers amidst a persistent and deadly Ebola outbreak, highlighting the ongoing challenges in containing the disease.
CIDRAP → - Jul 12, 2026live · responseThe recurring Ebola virus disease outbreaks in Africa: the problem is not outbreak response, but failure to sustain preparedness between epidemics - The Lancet
This Lancet article argues that recurring Ebola outbreaks in Africa are not due to inadequate outbreak response, but rather a failure to maintain preparedness between epidemics.
The Lancet → - Jul 11, 2026live · confirmed caseUS citizen tests positive for Ebola in Congo - AP News
A US citizen has tested positive for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
AP Health → - Jul 11, 2026live · confirmed caseU.S. Citizen Tests Positive for Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo
A U.S. citizen working for a humanitarian organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo has tested positive for Ebola.
NYT Health → - Jul 10, 2026live · responseEbola outbreak in DR Congo still outpacing response - CIDRAP
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread faster than the current response efforts can contain it.
CIDRAP → - Jul 10, 2026live · deathEbola death toll reaches 600, as new cases suspected in other parts of Congo - NPR
The Ebola death toll has reached 600, with new suspected cases emerging in other parts of Congo.
NPR → - Jul 9, 2026live · tracingSuspected Ebola patient placed in Equatorial Guinea hotel with deportees from the US, lawyers say - AP News
A suspected Ebola patient was reportedly placed in a hotel in Equatorial Guinea with deportees from the US, according to lawyers.
AP Health → - Jul 9, 2026live · responseCongo Ebola response workers protest over pay - Reuters
Ebola response workers in Congo are protesting over pay, indicating issues with the operational aspects of the response effort.
Reuters Health → - Jul 9, 2026live · deathEbola death toll in Congo reaches 600, as new cases suspected in previously unaffected provinces - AP News
The Ebola death toll in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached 600, with new suspected cases emerging in previously unaffected provinces.
AP Health → - Jul 8, 2026live · responseEbola workers strike as CDC head says agency’s response will last months - CIDRAP
Ebola workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are on strike, while the CDC head states that the agency's response to the outbreak will last for several months.
CIDRAP → - Jul 8, 2026live · responseSome health workers in Congo's Ebola outbreak go on strike over pay issues as deaths near 600 - AP News
Some health workers involved in the Ebola outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of Congo have gone on strike due to pay issues, as the death toll approaches 600.
AP Health → - Jul 8, 2026live · responseHow Rebels in Congo Could Use Ebola to Consolidate Their Power - The New York Times
This article explores how rebel groups in Congo might exploit the Ebola outbreak to strengthen their power and influence in the region.
New York Times → - Jul 8, 2026live · confirmed caseCongo says number of confirmed Ebola cases rises to 1,708 - Reuters
Congo reports that the number of confirmed Ebola cases has risen to 1,708.
Reuters Health → - Jul 7, 2026live · responseEbola outbreak exposes a fractured outbreak response system - STAT
The current Ebola outbreak is exposing significant weaknesses and fragmentation within the existing outbreak response system, hindering effective containment efforts.
STAT News → - Jul 7, 2026live · responseWhat will define Elon Musk’s legacy? Doge cuts to USAID Ebola programs
USAID program cuts have hindered the response to the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak, leading to a significant number of deaths.
Guardian World → - Jul 6, 2026live · deathEbola: Bereits mehr als 500 Tote im Kongo - Spiegel
More than 500 people have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Der Spiegel → - Jul 6, 2026live · deathEbola deaths top 500 as DR Congo health workers threaten to strike - CIDRAP
Ebola deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo have exceeded 500, and health workers are threatening to strike.
CIDRAP → - Jul 6, 2026live · deathEbola deaths in Congo top 500 as health workers threaten to strike - AP News
The number of Ebola deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 500, with health workers threatening to strike.
AP Health → - Jul 3, 2026live · confirmed caseCongo says number of confirmed Ebola cases rises to 1,502 - Reuters
Congo states that the number of confirmed Ebola cases has increased to 1,502.
Reuters Health → - Jul 3, 2026live · confirmed caseAantal ebola-gevallen blijft maar stijgen; nu al ruim 1.500 besmettingen en 473 doden - de Volkskrant
The number of Ebola cases continues to rise, with over 1,500 infections and 473 deaths reported.
Volkskrant → - Jul 2, 2026live · responseKenya halts US-funded Ebola facility after protests - The Lancet
Kenya has stopped the construction of a US-funded Ebola facility following public protests. The decision was reported by The Lancet.
The Lancet → - Jul 2, 2026live · responseEbola treatments trial begins in the Democratic Republic of Congo
A trial for Ebola treatments has commenced in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where there have been 1,406 confirmed cases, 301 suspected cases, and 438 deaths.
BBC World → - Jul 2, 2026live · confirmed caseDR Congo Ebola Cases Rise to 1,406; Deaths Reach 438
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported a total of 1,406 confirmed Ebola cases and 438 deaths as of June 30, with 73 new cases in 24 hours.
Outbreak News Today RSS → - Jul 2, 2026live · responseMalaria fears grow in Congo's Ebola outbreak hotspots - Reuters
Concerns are growing about malaria in the Ebola outbreak hotspots within Congo, indicating a potential dual health crisis.
Reuters Health → - Jul 2, 2026live · responseAlgorithm for handling samples from suspected cases of Ebola disease - Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has released an algorithm for handling samples from suspected cases of Ebola disease, providing guidance on laboratory procedures.
PAHO News → - Jul 2, 2026live · responseDode bij brand in ebolacentrum Congo, patiënten gevlucht - NOS
One person died in a fire at an Ebola center in Congo, causing patients to flee. The incident occurred in an Ebola treatment facility.
NOS → - Jul 2, 2026live · responseOn the front line of Congo’s Ebola outbreak - Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera reports from the front line of the Ebola outbreak in Congo, detailing the ongoing efforts and challenges in combating the disease.
Al Jazeera → - Jul 1, 2026live · deathEbola deaths in Africa top 400 as Uganda reports death of child from Marburg - CIDRAP
Ebola deaths in Africa have exceeded 400, with Uganda reporting a child's death from Marburg virus, a related hemorrhagic fever.
CIDRAP → - Jul 1, 2026live · responseEbola-Zentrum im Kongo von Anwohnern niedergebrannt - FAZ
An Ebola treatment center in Congo was burned down by residents. This incident highlights local resistance and distrust towards health efforts in the region.
FAZ → - Jul 1, 2026live · responseHochgefährliche Krankheit - Ebola-Zentrum im Kongo von Anwohnern niedergebrannt - Gesundheit - SZ.de
An Ebola treatment center in Congo was burned down by residents, highlighting community resistance to the health crisis.
Süddeutsche → - Jul 1, 2026live · confirmed caseEbolavirus verspreidt zich verder door Congo, vierde provincie bereikt - de Volkskrant
The Ebolavirus is spreading further through Congo, reaching a fourth province, according to de Volkskrant.
Volkskrant → - Jul 1, 2026live · responseEnterrer les victimes d’Ebola, un rite à haut risque dans l’est de la RDC - Le Monde.fr
Burying Ebola victims in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is a high-risk ritual, highlighting the dangers associated with traditional burial practices during an Ebola outbreak.
Le Monde → - Jul 1, 2026live · confirmed caseDR Congo Ebola Outbreak Becomes Third-Largest on Record as Cases Near 1,300
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the third-largest on record, with nearly 1,300 confirmed cases and 360 deaths reported in eastern DR Congo. The regional toll, including Uganda and France, stands at 1,295 confirmed cases and 362 deaths.
Outbreak News Today RSS →
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.