2026 Ituri Province Ebola epidemic
Epidemic in Democratic Republic of the Congo
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In May 2026, an epidemic of Ebola was reported in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Imported cases from Ituri have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's capital city of Kinshasa and the North Kivu Province, as well as in Uganda's capital city of Kampala.
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| 2026 Ituri Province Ebola epidemic | |
|---|---|
Ituri province, where the epidemic was first identified | |
| Disease | Ebola |
| Pathogen | Bundibugyo virus |
| Location | Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda |
| First reported | 15 May 2026 |
| Confirmed cases | 12 |
| Suspected cases‡ | 336 |
Deaths | 89 |
The epidemic is caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, which complicates response efforts as existing vaccines and treatments are for the Zaire ebolavirus.[1] It was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization on 16 May 2026. As of 17 May 2026, 89 deaths, 12 confirmed cases, and 336 suspected cases have been reported.[2]
Background
There have been two previous outbreaks of Bundibugyo virus, one in Bundibugyo District of Uganda in 2007 and 2008, from which it got its name, and another in 2012 in Isiro in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[3] The virus is estimated to have a fatality rate between 25 and 50%.[2]
The ongoing conflict in Ituri has caused a humanitarian crisis with 1.9 million people in need. The conflict complicates efforts to contact trace as populations are highly mobile and healthcare workers have been attacked. Additionally, Ituri's status as a commercial and migratory hub greatly increases the risk of diseases spreading to the broader region.[4]
Events
The earliest suspected case of the epidemic was a man who began experiencing symptoms on 24 April 2026 and died three days later.[5] The World Health Organization (WHO) was alerted to a potential Ebola outbreak on 5 May 2026 and it dispatched a response team.[6] Initial samples tested negative for Ebola as the tests used only detect Zaire ebolavirus, not the Bundibugyo ebolavirus. Tests that detect the Bundibugyo ebolavirus were later used, with the first positive tests being confirmed on 14 May 2026.[7]
Congolese health authorities confirmed hundreds of cases of Ebola virus disease in Ituri Province on 15 May 2026.[6] Health experts were alarmed that the outbreak had progressed to have hundreds of suspected cases by the time it was first reported. Epidemiologist Jennifer Nuzzo speculated that the delay in detection could be a result of cuts to global health programs.[7] By 16 May 2026, three health zones in Ituri (Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu) had confirmed or suspected cases; cases were also confirmed in the DRC’s capital, Kinshasa, and the Ugandan capital Kampala.[8]
On 16 May 2026, the WHO declared the epidemic a public health emergency of international concern.[4] In the declaration, the WHO announced eight laboratory confirmed cases of Bundibugyo virus in Ituri, one confirmed case in Kinshasa and two confirmed cases in Kampala. Furthermore, given the unusual clusters of suspected cases appearing across multiple parts of eastern DRC, the WHO was unable to ascertain the geographic spread of the epidemic or true number of infections.[8]
Health authorities confirmed on 17 May a positive case in Goma, a city in North Kivu Province that is currently under control by the March 23 Movement, after a woman infected with Ebola travelled there from Ituri.[9]
Six United States citizens are suspected of being exposed to Ebola, with at least one developing symptoms consistent with Ebola. The US government is reportedly working to arrange transport out of the DRC for exposed Americans so they can receive care under quarantine.[10][11]
Treatment
There is no approved vaccine or medicine for the Bundibugyo strain.[12] Experimental vaccines have been tested on macaques.[13]
Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) has teams in the area and is planning to mobilise more resources to fight the epidemic.[14]