The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded 600 suspected cases of Ebola. There have been 139 suspected deaths so far. These numbers are expected to increase further. This is due to the time it takes to identify the virus.
Fifty-one cases are confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This is where the outbreak began. Two cases are confirmed in neighbouring Uganda. WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced these figures. He stated the outbreak of the Bundibugyo species likely began a few months ago. The WHO declared a public health emergency on May 19, 2026. However, it is not yet considered a pandemic emergency.
The risk of the epidemic is high nationally and regionally. The global risk is assessed as low. The confirmed cases in the DRC are in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. One of the two confirmed cases in Uganda's capital, Kampala, died. This individual had travelled from the DRC. DRC is facing its 17th Ebola outbreak. The Bundibugyo species has not been seen for over a decade. It previously killed about one-third of those infected. There is no approved vaccine for this specific strain. Experimental vaccines are under development.
Existing vaccines for other Ebola species, like Zaire, might offer partial protection. There are no specific drugs targeting Bundibugyo. This makes treatment more difficult. Initial Ebola symptoms can resemble common illnesses. These include malaria and typhoid, which are prevalent in the DRC. Years of conflict in eastern DRC also create challenges for controlling the outbreak. The first known case was a nurse who died on April 24, 2026. She developed symptoms in Bunia, Ituri's provincial capital. Her body was returned to Mongwalo, a gold-mining town where most cases are reported. Four areas in Ituri are affected.
Ghebreyesus addressed criticism about the WHO's response time. He suggested the comments stemmed from a misunderstanding. He highlighted the swift action taken in a complex environment. The WHO's emergency committee met on May 21, 2026. They determined the situation was not a pandemic emergency. The focus remains on curbing transmission and investigating the virus's spread. Healthcare workers are among those who have died. This is a significant concern for the WHO.