At least 80 deaths were recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo; The disease’s fatality rate is 50%
The (World Health Organization) declared this Sunday (May 17, 2026) the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as “public health emergency of international importance”. The WHO reported that it suspects 80 deaths caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, in addition to a possible 246 cases of the disease.
The international organization’s statement also includes an announcement of “pandemic emergency”although it highlights that the outbreak is still “does not meet pandemic emergency criteria”. Here is the statement (PDF – 178 kB, in English).
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the epicenter of the epidemic. At least 2 cases have been identified in Uganda from people who traveled to the country. “Neighboring countries that share land borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered high risk for further spread due to population mobility, trade and travel links, and ongoing epidemiological uncertainty.”information and OMS.
According to the WHO, Ebola has an average fatality rate of 50%, with some outbreaks in the past having recorded a fatality rate of 90%. Transmission occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected people, contaminated objects or bodies of victims of the disease.
CEPA BUNDIBUGYO
The Bundibugyo strain was first identified in 2007, in Bundibugyo district, in western Uganda. In that outbreak, 131 cases and 42 deaths were recorded, a fatality rate of 32%, according to the WHO.
The identification of the strain worries health authorities because most of the previous outbreaks in Congo were caused by the Zaire strain. Congolese virologist Jean-Jacques Muyembe, one of the discoverers of Ebola, told Reuters that a different variant could complicate the response, as existing vaccines and treatments were developed mainly against the Zaire strain.
REGIONAL RISK
The outbreak occurs in an area with high movement of people, mining activities and internal displacement. According to the WHO, these factors increase the risk of transmission.
This is the 17th Ebola outbreak recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the virus was first identified in 1976 in Yambuku, in the then Equateur province. The most recent outbreak in the country had ended in December 2025.
The disease has also been confirmed in Uganda. The Ugandan Ministry of Health reported that a Congolese man died in Kampala after being diagnosed with Bundibugyo Ebola. Ugandan authorities said the case was imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo and that there are no confirmed local cases.
The convened an urgent meeting with representatives from Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and international partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance, preparedness and response to the outbreak.
