First Ebola case in France confirmed in doctor after return from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Paris – 24.06.2026: On June 24, 2026, the first confirmed case of Ebola was detected in France. A doctor who had returned from a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo tested positive for the virus. The patient is in stable condition and is being treated in a specialized facility. All necessary precautions have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

The doctor was working in the Ituri province, which is currently being affected by a severe Ebola epidemic. It concerns the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. The epidemic has so far resulted in more than 1,000 confirmed cases and at least 267 deaths.

Upon his return to France, the doctor was immediately isolated and transferred to a specialized hospital. His condition was described as stable. The French health authorities have launched an extensive epidemiological investigation to identify possible contacts. These individuals will be contacted and will undergo home isolation for 21 days, during which they will be closely monitored.

The French health authorities emphasize that this is an imported case and that there is no risk of local transmission. The risk of infection for the population is considered very low, as Ebola is not transmitted through the air but through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person.

The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains tense. Health authorities are working closely with international partners to contain the spread of the virus and prevent new infections. The French health authorities assure that they have specialized facilities to deal with highly infectious diseases such as Ebola and to keep the epidemic under control.