The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern following a surge in cases and deaths linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
Key points
- The outbreak has resulted in at least 131 deaths and over 500 suspected cases since early May 2026.
- The virus has reached the densely populated capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kinshasa.
- Health authorities are evaluating existing vaccines, such as Ervebo, for potential efficacy against the Bundibugyo variant.
- A US citizen infected with the virus is being transported to Germany for medical treatment.
Why it matters
The declaration of a global health emergency highlights the high regional risk posed by the rapid spread of a rare Ebola strain for which no specific vaccine or treatment is currently approved.
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