US Moves 7 From DRC to Germany as Ebola Outbreak Tops 131 Deaths
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 18
US Moves 7 From DRC to Germany as Ebola Outbreak Tops 131 Deaths
23 articles · Updated · CNN · May 18
Seven people are being relocated from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Germany by US health officials, including an American who tested positive for Ebola and six others considered directly affected.
The transfer comes as WHO and African health authorities escalate their response to an outbreak centered in Ituri province that has caused 131 deaths and 513 suspected cases in the DRC, with two confirmed cases in Uganda's capital Kampala.
The CDC invoked Title 42 for at least 30 days starting Monday, adding airport screening and restricting entry for non-US passport holders who recently traveled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan.
Bundibugyo—the strain driving the outbreak—has no approved vaccine or treatment, and aid groups say conflict, displacement and aid cuts have weakened surveillance and care, raising fears of a much larger regional spread.
With no approved vaccine, how will doctors fight this rare Ebola outbreak spreading in a conflict zone?
Past aid cuts weakened virus surveillance. Are we now paying a deadlier price for those decisions?
Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak 2026: Over 200 Suspected Cases Amid Conflict and No Vaccine in DRC
Overview
The Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is unfolding in a region already facing insecurity, armed conflict, and weak health systems, making the response extremely difficult. Attacks on healthcare workers and facilities, along with widespread displacement, have severely hindered aid delivery and containment efforts. The virus, confirmed in May 2026, has spread rapidly, with no approved vaccines or treatments available, leaving healthcare providers with limited options. High population mobility and dense informal transit networks further complicate containment, while the lack of local manufacturing for medical supplies creates major logistical challenges. The World Health Organization has declared an international emergency to mobilize global support.