Ebola disease outbreak — Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bundibugyo virus disease · Ituri Province, DRC · DRC & Uganda
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is responding to an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the north-eastern Ituri Province — the country's 17th Ebola outbreak since the virus was first identified in 1976. The WHO Director-General has determined that the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), requiring international coordination and cooperation for the response.
The outbreak is unfolding against a complex epidemiological, humanitarian and security backdrop characterized by insecurity, highly mobile populations including cross-border and trade flows such as mining, as well as the presence of large refugee communities.
▶Response
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda have activated national emergency coordination mechanisms and established response operations to strengthen surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control (IPC), contact tracing and case management. WHO and international partners are supporting both countries through deployment of technical experts, provision of medical supplies and laboratory support, and reinforcement of emergency coordination systems.
Dedicated surveillance and response cells are being established in affected and at-risk health zones to improve early detection and rapid investigation of suspected cases. Enhanced disease surveillance is being prioritized, particularly for unexplained community deaths and clusters of febrile illness. Authorities are also intensifying contact tracing and monitoring activities in affected districts and border areas to limit further spread of the virus.
IPC measures are being reinforced in healthcare facilities following reports of suspected healthcare-associated transmission and deaths among healthcare workers. Efforts include systematic mapping of health facilities, triage systems, training for health workers on IPC, improved supervision, and distribution of personal protective equipment.
Specialized treatment centres and isolation units are being established close to outbreak epicentres to provide supportive and intensive clinical care for suspected and confirmed cases. Safe referral pathways for patients are also being strengthened to reduce transmission risks during transportation and treatment.
Cross-border collaboration is being intensified with joint preparedness measures including strengthened disease surveillance at border crossings, information sharing, rapid alert notification systems, simulation exercises and coordination of emergency response teams.
▶Vaccination & Therapeutics
At present, there are no licensed vaccines or approved therapeutics specifically targeting Bundibugyo virus disease. WHO and partners are supporting accelerated research and development efforts to evaluate candidate vaccines and investigational therapeutics. Authorities in affected and at-risk countries are being encouraged to establish regulatory approvals and operational readiness for clinical trials and emergency use of investigational countermeasures should they become available.
Preparedness activities include strengthening cold-chain systems, identifying clinical trial sites, training healthcare workers in good clinical practice, and enhancing laboratory diagnostic capacity to support future vaccine and therapeutic studies.
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Previous Emergencies in the Region
A chronological record of prior Ebola-related outbreaks. Click any entry to expand the full situation overview, response details and press coverage.
On 4 September 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (Zaire ebolavirus) in Kasai Province — the 16th Ebola outbreak in DRC since the disease was first identified in 1976. The last Ebola patient was discharged on 19 October 2025.
The outbreak affected Bulape and Mweka health zones in Kasai Province, home to approximately 3.5 million people. Previous outbreaks in Kasai were recorded in 2007 (Luebo) and 2008–2009 (Mweka).
▶Response
An advanced team of first responders from WHO, the Ministry of Health and partner organizations was deployed immediately. WHO delivered over 14 tonnes of emergency health supplies including PPE, mobile laboratory equipment and medical supplies. Treatment centres were established, burial teams trained, and contact tracing enhanced.
▶Vaccination
DRC deployed 2,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine to vaccinate contacts and frontline health workers. The ICG approved approximately 45,000 additional doses for shipment.
On 20 September 2022, Uganda declared an outbreak of Sudan virus disease (SVD) caused by Sudan virus (SUDV) after samples tested positive following six suspicious deaths in Mubende District — the first SVD outbreak in Uganda since 2012, and the seventh globally.
The outbreak spread to nine districts including Kampala. Preliminary genomic sequencing indicated close relation to the Nakisamata Sudan ebolavirus strain from Luwero District (2011). Case fatality rates for Sudan virus have varied from 41% to 100% in historical outbreaks.
▶Response
As no licensed vaccine existed, Ugandan health authorities focused on supportive care while intensifying testing, surveillance, IPC and community engagement. WHO and partners delivered medical supplies, deployed experts and supported safe and dignified burials, enhanced contact tracing and joint cross-border countermeasures.
▶Vaccination
Three candidate vaccines were evaluated (Sabin Institute, Oxford/SII, Merck/IAVI). Overall vaccination readiness reached 82%: ultra-cold chain secured, Principal Investigator engaged, GCP training completed, trial sites in Kampala and Mubende identified and under renovation.
