Addis Ababa, Ethiopia / Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo / Kampala, Uganda, 15 May 2026 -- The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is closely monitoring the confirmed Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the imported Ebola Bundibugyo case reported by the Uganda Ministry of Health. Africa CDC is working with national authorities and partners to support a rapid, coordinated regional response aimed at interrupting transmission, protecting communities and reducing the risk of cross-border spread.
Following consultations with the DRC Ministry of Health and national public health institutions, preliminary laboratory results from the Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale (INRB) detected Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples tested. Preliminary results suggest a non-Zaire ebolavirus; sequencing is ongoing to further characterize the virus species and guide response decisions, including the assessment of appropriate medical countermeasures.
As of the latest update from DRC, approximately 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been reported, mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Four deaths have been reported among laboratory-confirmed cases. Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia and are pending confirmation. These figures remain provisional and are being validated through laboratory confirmation, line-list harmonization, contact identification and epidemiological investigation.
In a statement issued on 15 May 2026, Uganda's Ministry of Health reported a confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease case in a 59-year-old Congolese male who was admitted to Kibuli Muslim Hospital on 11 May 2026 and died on 14 May 2026. Uganda has reported the case as imported from DRC and has indicated that no local case has yet been confirmed. Africa CDC is supporting coordination to align laboratory information, contact management and cross-border risk assessment across affected and at-risk settings.
The confirmation of an imported case reported by Uganda underscores the importance of rapid regional coordination. Africa CDC remains concerned by the urban context of Bunia and Rwampara, intense population movement, mining-related mobility in Mongwalu, insecurity in affected areas, gaps in contact listing, infection prevention and control challenges, and the proximity of affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan.
Africa CDC is convening an urgent high-level regional coordination meeting today with health authorities from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, together with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Pandemic Fund, U.S. CDC and other response partners. The meeting will focus on immediate response priorities, cross-border surveillance and alert management, laboratory support and sequencing, infection prevention and control, case management, risk communication and community engagement, safe and dignified burials, contact management, logistics and resource mobilization.
"Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Governments and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as they respond to this outbreak and the imported case reported by Uganda," said H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. "The situation requires speed, scientific rigour and regional solidarity. We are working with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and partners to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response, and to help contain transmission as quickly as possible."
Africa CDC is activating its incident management support functions and preparing support across key response pillars, including emergency coordination, surveillance and contact management, data management, cross-border preparedness, laboratory coordination, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement. Africa CDC will also work with partners to support sequencing and assess the availability and appropriateness of medical countermeasures once the exact ebolavirus species is confirmed.
Uganda has activated national and district-level response measures, including screening, surveillance and rapid response readiness at official and informal points of entry, particularly along the western border and major transit routes. Africa CDC will continue to support coordination between Uganda, DRC and neighbouring countries to strengthen readiness and ensure that alerts, contacts and laboratory information are rapidly shared.
Africa CDC urges communities in affected and at-risk areas to follow guidance from national health authorities, report symptoms promptly, avoid direct physical contact with suspected cases, avoid contact with body fluids or contaminated materials, maintain hand hygiene, and support response teams working to protect communities. Health facilities and health workers should maintain a high index of suspicion, apply infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases through national reporting channels.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal illness. It spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons, contaminated materials, or the bodies of persons who have died from the disease. Early detection, prompt isolation and care, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, community engagement, and safe and dignified burials are critical to stopping transmission.
Africa CDC will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available, including sequencing results, updates from national health authorities and outcomes of the regional coordination meeting.
