The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, 2026. The outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus, a Ebola species for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists, though candidates are in testing. As of June 2, the DRC Ministry of Health reported 344 confirmed cases and 60 confirmed deaths, with Ituri province carrying the heaviest case load; Uganda had reported 15 confirmed cases and one death. The WHO has scaled up surveillance, contact tracing and clinical support; the outbreak is unfolding alongside an active humanitarian crisis and population movement that complicates containment.
PHEIC declared
On May 17, 2026, the WHO Director-General determined that the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern — the WHO's highest formal alert level.
Bundibugyo virus
The outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus, one of the Ebola species for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists. Trials of candidate vaccines and therapeutics are ongoing under WHO oversight.
Case counts
As of June 2, 2026, the DRC Ministry of Health reported 344 confirmed cases, 60 confirmed deaths, and 116 suspected cases under investigation. Uganda had reported 15 confirmed cases and one death.
Ituri province
Ituri is the most affected province in the DRC, with 322 confirmed cases across 16 health zones. North Kivu and South Kivu have reported smaller clusters.
Response challenges
The outbreak is unfolding in a difficult operating environment — a humanitarian crisis, insecurity, and high population and trade movement across the affected zones. WHO has scaled up surveillance, contact tracing and clinical care alongside DRC and Ugandan health authorities.
Mentioned in this story
Declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, 2026.
Reported 344 confirmed cases and 60 deaths nationally as of June 2.
Reported 15 confirmed cases and one death.
No approved vaccine or specific treatment; first identified in Uganda in 2007.
Most affected, with 322 confirmed cases across 16 health zones.