390 of those new cases were in DRC, where totals reached 515 cases and 91 deaths; WHO said the surge partly reflects expanded testing that cleared a backlog of previously collected samples.
Ituri accounted for 487 DRC cases, while 5,040 contacts were under follow-up and security incidents around health facilities were disrupting surveillance and response operations.
19 confirmed cases were reported in Uganda, including 14 imported infections and no documented community transmission; all cases were linked to travelers from DRC or their contacts.
WHO kept DRC's risk at very high and Uganda's at high, but said the wider African regional and global risks remain low and advised against travel or trade restrictions.
With a death rate far below past outbreaks, is this new Ebola strain less deadly, or is a larger catastrophe being delayed?
As armed groups obstruct aid in the DRC, can a new vaccine be developed in time to prevent a regional health collapse?
Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak 2026: Over 500 Cases, No Vaccine, and Urgent Global Response Needed
Overview
The 2026 Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak is a growing public health crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, with over 500 cases and rapid cross-border spread. The situation is made worse by the lack of a specific vaccine or approved treatment for the Bundibugyo virus, leaving healthcare workers and communities vulnerable. Existing Ebola vaccines do not protect against this strain, and patient care relies mostly on supportive measures, leading to high mortality. International coordination is crucial, as shown by the evacuation of infected foreign nationals, and the urgent need for new vaccines and treatments adds to the challenge of containing the outbreak.