Addis Ababa, Ethiopia / Kinshasa, DRC / Kampala, Uganda, 15 May 2026 — The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is closely monitoring the confirmed Ebola 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 with the Bundibugyo Virus.
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 Ebola virus 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, with insecurity intense population movement, mining-related mobility in Mongwalu, gaps in contact listing, infection prevention and control challenges, and the proximity of affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan.
Due to the cabinet meeting in DRC to discuss this outbreak, Africa CDC agreed to postpone the meeting that was planned and convene this urgent high-level regional coordination meeting today 16 May 2026 with health authorities from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, together with the WHO, UNICEF, the Pandemic Fund, African Medicines Agency (AMA), 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,” 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.”
To respond in a more coherent and holistic way to this regional outbreak, Africa CDC took the following immediate actions:
- Activate the Incident management Support Team (IMST) including all partners as the regional coordinating mechanism for the 3 countries and approve a 72-hour Incident Action Plan covering DRC and Uganda responses and South Sudan preparedness.
- Deploy multidisciplinary surge teams to support DRC and Uganda where the disease is cleared, with parallel readiness support for neighboring countries.
- Establish a medical countermeasures workstream to assess diagnostics, PPE, therapeutics, vaccines and cold chain needs, pending final sequencing.
- Mandate the Science, Innovation and R&D team, to coordinate sequencing follow-up, evidence review, product options, research protocols and partner engagement.
- Convene the regional partner coordination meeting on 16 May at 3pm Geneva time with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, WHO, AMA and key technical and financing partners,
- Hold an evening press briefing on 16 May at 6pm Geneva time to brief the media on this outbreak
- Escalate political engagement through President Ramaphosa as the AU PPPR Champion, the AU Commission Chairperson and AU Bureau to secure high-level support for access and coordination.
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.
The Bundibugyo Ebola virus 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.
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About Africa CDC
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: http://www.africacdc.org and follow Africa CDC on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube.
Media Contact:
Wilson Johwa, Senior Communications Officer, Directorate of Communication & Public Information | JohwaW@africacdc.org
