Italy Reports 2 Suspected Ebola Cases in Lombardy After Return From Uganda
Updated
Updated · WSWS · May 26
Italy Reports 2 Suspected Ebola Cases in Lombardy After Return From Uganda
10 articles · Updated · WSWS · May 26
Two suspected Ebola cases were reported in Lombardy among members of two families recently returned from Uganda, with a 31-year-old Bulgarograsso resident showing a 38C fever and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Five other relatives are under health surveillance as officials assess whether the infections are linked to Uganda, which has confirmed five cases and one death including local transmission reported May 23.
The alert comes as the Bundibugyo outbreak centered in eastern Congo has topped 1,000 suspected and confirmed cases and 230 deaths, with WHO having declared a global health emergency on May 16.
Suspected spread into Western Europe follows the evacuation of an infected American physician to Germany and highlights concern that conflict, displacement and collapsing health systems are accelerating transmission beyond the region.
Are the suspected Ebola cases in Italy a wake-up call for Europe's pandemic preparedness?
With no vaccine for this Ebola strain, how can a wider international outbreak be prevented?
The 2026 Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak: Largest Recorded Epidemic, Global Response, and Urgent Lessons for Health Security
Overview
In late May 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed its 17th Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The outbreak began in Ituri Province, but early detection was missed because initial lab tests for the more common Zaire Ebola strain were negative. As a result, the Bundibugyo virus spread undetected for weeks after the first death. Only on May 15, 2026, did health officials confirm the presence of Bundibugyo virus in blood samples. This delay in identification allowed the outbreak to grow quickly, making containment much more difficult.