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 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 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 · 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 → - Jul 1, 2026live · responseA Risky Burial in the Heart of an Ebola Outbreak - The New York Times
The article discusses a risky burial taking place in the midst of an Ebola outbreak, highlighting the dangers associated with traditional burial practices during such epidemics.
New York Times → - Jun 30, 2026live · confirmed casePatient tests negative after Ebola alert at Glasgow hospital - BBC
A patient at a Glasgow hospital tested negative for Ebola after an alert, confirming no new cases in the area.
BBC News → - Jun 30, 2026live · confirmed casePatient tests negative for Ebola after suspected case in British hospital - Sky News
A patient in a British hospital tested negative for Ebola after a suspected case, ruling out the presence of the virus.
Sky News → - Jun 30, 2026live · responseEbola outbreak will cause major harm to Africa’s economies, UN warns - CIDRAP
The United Nations warns that the Ebola outbreak will significantly damage the economies of African countries.
CIDRAP → - Jun 30, 2026live · tracingPatient being tested for Ebola virus at Glasgow hospital - The Guardian
A patient is undergoing testing for the Ebola virus at a hospital in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Guardian → - Jun 30, 2026live · confirmed casePatient tested for suspected Ebola virus at Glasgow hospital - BBC
A patient is being tested for suspected Ebola virus at a hospital in Glasgow, Scotland.
BBC News → - Jun 30, 2026live · tracingCongo traces possible Ebola spread to two new provinces, sources say - Reuters
Sources indicate that the Democratic Republic of Congo is tracing the potential spread of Ebola to two additional provinces, suggesting an expansion of the outbreak.
Reuters Health → - Jun 30, 2026live · responseEbola Outbreak Could Cost Africa Up to $3.6bn, UN Warns
The UN warns that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda could cost Africa up to $3.6 billion and result in 328,000 job losses if it spreads further. The outbreak has already infected 1,307 people and killed 377 in DR Congo since May 15.
Outbreak News Today RSS → - Jun 30, 2026live · responseUN warns Ebola could cost Africa $3.6bn and jobs - Al Jazeera
The United Nations has warned that the Ebola outbreak could cost Africa $3.6 billion and lead to job losses across the continent.
Al Jazeera → - Jun 30, 2026live · responseMarburg outbreak is reported in Uganda, threatening to complicate Ebola response in region - STAT
A Marburg virus outbreak has been reported in Uganda, which could complicate the ongoing Ebola response efforts in the region.
STAT News → - Jun 30, 2026live · responseCongo bans gatherings in areas far from Ebola outbreak. Some say it limits dissent - AP News
The Democratic Republic of Congo has banned public gatherings in areas distant from the Ebola outbreak, a move some critics suggest is intended to suppress dissent.
AP Health → - Jun 30, 2026live · responseUN: Ebola könnte fast eine Million Menschen in Armut treiben - FAZ
The UN warns that the Ebola outbreak could push nearly one million people into poverty.
FAZ → - Jun 30, 2026live · responseEpidemie in Zentralafrika - UN: Ebola könnte fast eine Million Menschen in Armut treiben - Gesundheit - SZ.de
The UN warns that the Ebola epidemic in Central Africa could push nearly one million people into poverty.
Süddeutsche → - Jun 30, 2026live · deathÜber Tausend Fälle: Hunderte Ebola-Tote in DR Kongo - FAZ
Hundreds of people have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with over a thousand cases reported.
FAZ → - Jun 30, 2026live · deathZahl der Ebola-Toten in DR Kongo nimmt weiter zu - SZ.de
The number of Ebola deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to increase, as reported by SZ.de.
Süddeutsche → - Jun 30, 2026live · confirmed caseDR Congo says 1,307 Ebola cases confirmed, including 377 deaths - Al Jazeera
The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 1,307 confirmed Ebola cases, resulting in 377 deaths.
Al Jazeera → - Jun 30, 2026live · responseBeni celebrates first documented recovery from Ebola as new treatment centre is set to open - AP News
Beni celebrates its first documented recovery from Ebola, coinciding with the upcoming opening of a new treatment center in the city.
AP Health → - Jun 30, 2026live · responseThe US Ebola response and the future of global health leadership - The Lancet
This article from The Lancet discusses the United States' response to the Ebola outbreak and its implications for future global health leadership.
The Lancet → - Jun 29, 2026live · responseThe US Ebola response and the future of global health leadership - The Lancet
This article from The Lancet discusses the United States' response to the Ebola outbreak and its implications for future global health leadership.
The Lancet → - Jun 29, 2026live · confirmed caseEbola outbreak spreads to 4th province in DR Congo - CIDRAP
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to a fourth province, indicating a geographical expansion of the disease.
CIDRAP → - Jun 29, 2026live · responseCongo bans gatherings in Kinshasa and three provinces over Ebola outbreak - Reuters
Congo has banned public gatherings in Kinshasa and three other provinces to curb the spread of the Ebola outbreak.
Reuters Health → - Jun 29, 2026live · confirmed caseEbola : l'épidémie s'étend à une quatrième province en RDC - Le Figaro Santé
The Ebola epidemic has spread to a fourth province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Le Figaro → - Jun 29, 2026live · responseEbola in DR Congo: Mass gatherings banned in Kinshasa to contain spread - BBC
Mass gatherings have been banned in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, as a measure to contain the spread of Ebola.
BBC News → - Jun 29, 2026live · responseDR Congo bans mass gatherings in the capital to prevent spread of Ebola
The Democratic Republic of Congo has banned mass gatherings in its capital city, Kinshasa, to prevent the spread of Ebola. Opposition politicians, however, accuse the government of using the outbreak as an excuse to stop a planned protest.
BBC World → - Jun 29, 2026live · response« Cette maladie nous décime » : en RDC, les autorités combattent Ebola et l’incrédulité des populations - Le Figaro Santé
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo are battling both the Ebola outbreak and public disbelief, with residents stating the disease is decimating them.
Le Figaro → - Jun 29, 2026live · responseDanaher Foundation Commits $1 Million to Ebola Outbreak Relief Efforts in Central Africa – Company Announcement - Financial Times
The Danaher Foundation has pledged $1 million to support Ebola outbreak relief efforts in Central Africa.
Financial Times → - Jun 29, 2026live · deathCongo says number of confirmed Ebola cases at 1,274, including 360 deaths - Reuters
Congo reports that the number of confirmed Ebola cases has reached 1,274, with 360 deaths.
Reuters Health →
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.