Ebola Outbreak 2026: Cases Surpass 1,500 as Third-Largest Epidemic Intensifies and New Treatment Trial Begins

Ebola Cases Surpass 1,500 as Third-Largest Outbreak on Record Continues to Spread

The 2026 Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has now surpassed 1,500 confirmed cases, making it the third-largest Ebola outbreak in history. As of early July, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports 1,549 confirmed cases and 494 deaths across the DRC and neighboring Uganda, with the virus also reaching France and Germany through imported cases.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO on May 16, 2026, just two days after it was officially reported. Unlike the more common Zaire ebolavirus, Bundibugyo has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, making this outbreak especially challenging for global health authorities.

Where Is the Outbreak Now?

The epicenter remains Ituri Province in northeastern DRC, which accounts for 1,333 of the confirmed cases. The outbreak has since spread to:

• North Kivu Province — 124 confirmed cases, 71 deaths
• South Kivu Province — 3 confirmed cases, 1 death
• Uganda (Kampala) — 20 confirmed cases, 2 deaths (no new cases since June 21)
• France — 1 imported case (humanitarian worker)
• Germany — 1 imported case (MedEvac from DRC)

Across the affected region, 36 of 104 health zones in three provinces are now reporting cases. Nearly 83% of identified contacts remain under follow-up surveillance, though the WHO has warned that contact tracing is lagging dangerously behind the virus’s spread.

Why This Outbreak Is Different

The Bundibugyo virus is a distinct species of ebolavirus first identified in Uganda in 2007. It carries an estimated fatality rate between 25% and 50%. Critically, there is no licensed vaccine or antiviral treatment specifically approved for BDBV.

The existing Ebola vaccine, Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV), was developed for Zaire ebolavirus. While a study in macaques suggested it may offer partial cross-protection against Bundibugyo, the WHO has judged the evidence insufficient and recommended against its use in this outbreak.

“This is a fundamentally different challenge from previous Ebola outbreaks,” said Dr. Placide Mbala, who coordinates laboratory activities for the current response. “We are dealing with a pathogen for which we have no proven pharmaceutical countermeasures.”

New Treatment Trial Offers Hope

On July 2, 2026, researchers began enrolling patients in a landmark clinical trial evaluating two potential treatments for Bundibugyo virus. The WHO-supported study, launched at Bunia’s Evangelical Medical Center in Ituri, is testing three regimens:

• Remdesivir — an antiviral drug previously used against Ebola and COVID-19
• MBP134 — an experimental antibody treatment
• A combination of both drugs

The trial is a collaboration between Congo’s National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Oxford University, Antwerp’s Institute of Tropical Medicine, and other international health organizations. Patient survival will be tracked for 28 days after treatment begins.

A second phase of the trial is planned to include healthcare workers and close contacts at high risk of infection. Researchers expect the study to run for three to six months, depending on how quickly the outbreak evolves.

Major Obstacles Hampering the Response

The outbreak response faces severe challenges that have allowed the virus to spread faster than containment efforts can keep up:

• Armed conflict — Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu have experienced ongoing violence involving M23, ADF, and CODECO armed groups, restricting humanitarian access
• Community mistrust — Deep suspicion of health authorities in some areas has delayed people seeking care
• Deaths outside healthcare — Nearly three out of four Ebola deaths during this outbreak occur outside of health centers, increasing the risk of further transmission
• Healthcare worker attacks — Violence directed at medical teams has limited where treatment trials can be safely conducted
• Population movement — Ituri’s status as a commercial and migratory hub, combined with mining-related travel and refugee movements, complicates contact tracing

Large numbers of internally displaced persons — 1.9 million people in need of aid across the three affected provinces — further strain containment efforts.

International Response and Travel Restrictions

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated a public health emergency response on May 17 and deployed more than 120 staff to affected countries. Since May 22, entry into the United States has been restricted to U.S. citizens and nationals who have been in DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days.

The CDC recommends avoiding all non-essential travel to Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. Travelers to DRC or Uganda are advised to take precautions against Ebola exposure and monitor for symptoms for 21 days after departing affected areas.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses the risk of infection for EU/EEA residents as very low but continues to monitor the situation closely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bundibugyo virus?

Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) is a species of ebolavirus first discovered in Uganda in 2007. It causes Ebola disease with symptoms including fever, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding. The fatality rate is estimated between 25% and 50%.

How is Ebola transmitted?

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids (blood, saliva, vomit, urine, feces, sweat, and semen) of an infected person who is symptomatic or has died. It is not airborne. Healthcare workers and family caregivers are at highest risk.

Is there a vaccine for this strain?

There is no approved vaccine specifically for Bundibugyo virus. The existing Ervebo vaccine, effective against Zaire ebolavirus, has not been recommended by the WHO for this outbreak due to insufficient evidence of cross-protection.

What treatments are being tested?

The current clinical trial is evaluating remdesivir (an antiviral), MBP134 (an experimental monoclonal antibody therapy), and a combination of both. Results are expected within three to six months.

Should travelers be concerned?

The risk to the general public outside affected areas in eastern DRC remains very low. The CDC advises against non-essential travel to affected provinces. Travelers returning from these areas should monitor for symptoms for 21 days.

How many cases have been reported globally?

As of July 3, 2026, there have been 1,549 confirmed cases, 494 deaths, and 256 recoveries. The outbreak is the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record and the 17th in the DRC’s history.

What to Watch For

Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation for signs of further geographic spread, particularly to neighboring countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan. The effectiveness of the new treatment trial will be a critical factor in determining how this outbreak evolves over the coming months.

The WHO and Africa CDC continue to call for increased international funding and support for the response. Without significant improvements in contact tracing, community engagement, and security for healthcare workers, experts warn the true scale of the outbreak may be considerably higher than confirmed numbers suggest.