Kinshasa – 01.06.2026: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Uganda have been battling an outbreak of the Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus since May 2026. As of May 29, 125 confirmed cases have been reported in the DR Congo, including 17 deaths. Additionally, there are 906 suspected cases with 223 deaths. Uganda reports nine confirmed cases, including one death, with at least three linked to travel from the DR Congo.
In light of the cross-border spread, Uganda temporarily closed its border with the DR Congo on May 27, 2026, to contain the virus. Exempted from this measure are authorized Ebola response teams, humanitarian aid deliveries, transport of food and freight, as well as security forces subject to strict health checks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern since May 17, 2026. This designation emphasizes the urgency of coordinated measures and close cooperation between the affected countries to prevent further regional spread and effectively protect public health.
The Ebola transmission currently centers mainly in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu in eastern DR Congo, where insecure security conditions, insufficient isolation and referral systems, as well as limited contact tracing complicate controlling the outbreak. In addition, violent conflicts and difficult access to remote areas further hamper health efforts.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has expanded its support in the affected region to manage the humanitarian situation related to the epidemic. This is particularly relevant as around 26.5 million people in DR Congo suffer from acute hunger – nearly 10 million people in crisis or emergency conditions live in the eastern part of the country alone.
Rwanda, as a direct neighbor, is also undertaking extensive protective measures to prevent the virus from spreading. The population is responding with great vigilance and resilience, although concerns about infection risks and restrictions on cross-border traffic are affecting the daily lives of many families.
Thanks to the geographical distance and the protective measures taken, the risk of Ebola transmission to Europe is currently low. The WHO and other international organizations continue to monitor the situation closely and support efforts on site to combat the epidemic and stabilize the healthcare infrastructure.
The situation remains tense. It is crucial that the affected countries act decisively together with the international community to contain the spread of the Ebola virus, protect the population, and mitigate the humanitarian consequences.
Sources
- France Info