LSHTM expert discusses what's behind Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, symptoms and wider risk
On 17 May 2026 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
As of 16 May 2026 there have been 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths reported in Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with two laboratory confirmed cases (including one death) reported in Kampala, Uganda
The announcement follows the news that the outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus, a rare Ebola-causing virus for which there are currently no licensed vaccines or therapeutics.
However, the WHO has said it does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency and has advised against countries outside the region placing restrictions on travel or trade.
Dr Daniela Manno, Clinical Assistant Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said: "Based on the latest available information, the outbreak is now thought to be caused by Bundibugyo ebolavirus, a rare virus that has previously been identified in only two documented outbreaks, in Uganda in 2007 and DRC in 2012. This already represents the largest known outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease.
"The declaration by WHO of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) reflects the operational complexity of the outbreak and the need for coordinated international support, rather than indicating a high global risk to the general public.
"Bundibugyo virus is a rare Ebola-causing virus for which there are currently no licensed vaccines or therapeutics specifically approved. There are also no vaccines in late-stage clinical development that could be readily deployed during an outbreak, meaning response efforts rely heavily on classical public health control measures and supportive clinical care.
"The outbreak is occurring in Ituri province, an area of DRC affected by insecurity, population displacement, limited infrastructure, and highly mobile communities linked to mining activities. These factors can make Ebola outbreaks particularly difficult to contain because they complicate surveillance, contact tracing, delivery of healthcare, vaccination campaigns, and safe transport of samples and patients. Cross-border coordination with neighbouring countries will also be important given the high population mobility in the region.
"Particularly concerning is that insecurity and community mistrust have previously disrupted Ebola response activities in eastern DRC. During the large Ebola outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces between 2018 and 2020, repeated interruptions to contact tracing, vaccination, and field investigations contributed to prolonged transmission within affected communities.
"At the same time, DRC has extensive experience responding to Ebola outbreaks and response capacity is significantly stronger today than it was a decade ago. The country has established laboratory networks, trained outbreak response teams, vaccination strategies, and international partnerships that can be rapidly mobilised.
"This outbreak highlights important gaps that still remain in global preparedness for rarer filoviruses (the family of viruses that includes Ebola and Marburg virus), including the need for broader diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics that can protect against multiple Ebola-causing viruses rather than only the most common species."
Is there a risk of Ebola spreading to the UK?
Although this is a serious outbreak that requires urgent public health action, there is currently no evidence that it poses a significant risk to the UK public. Ebola does not spread through the air in the same way as respiratory viruses such as influenza or COVID-19, and transmission generally requires direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials from an infected person. The main risks remain within affected communities and among healthcare workers or caregivers in close contact with infected individuals.
What is Ebola, how is it spread, and what are the symptoms?
Ebola virus disease is a severe infection caused by viruses of the genus Orthoebolavirus. The virus spreads through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated materials from an infected person, particularly during the later stages of illness. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhoea, while severe disease can progress to bleeding complications, multi-organ failure, and death.
While Ebola remains a serious disease, outbreak prevention, response, and treatment have improved significantly over the past decade. Rapid identification and isolation of cases, contact tracing, infection prevention and control measures, and safe burials are all important components of outbreak control.
How is Ebola treated? What vaccines are available?
There are vaccines available for some viruses causing Ebola disease (although not currently Bundibugyo virus) which can help protect healthcare workers and reduce transmission when deployed rapidly around confirmed cases and their contacts in a strategy known as ring vaccination. Early diagnosis can also allow prompt supportive care, including fluid resuscitation, pain management, and treatment of complications. In addition, specific therapeutics are now available for some Ebola viruses and can substantially reduce mortality when given early.
What do we know about the scale of the outbreak?
There remains an important distinction between suspected and laboratory-confirmed cases. Additional laboratory confirmation and epidemiological investigations will be essential to better understand the scale, transmission dynamics, and origin of the outbreak.
