CDC Update: Ebola Outbreak in DRC and Uganda

Two confirmed cases have also been identified in Uganda in individuals who traveled there from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

CDC Response and International Health Actions

According to CDC Ebola Response Incident Manager Satish Pillai, the agency has activated its Emergency Response Center to manage the outbreak and prevent further spread. Through country offices in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the CDC is providing in-country support for surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, border health activities, and community engagement, alongside mobilizing additional support from headquarters in Atlanta. On May 15, 2026, the CDC posted two travel health notices for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, followed by a situation update published on May 17, 2026.

Clinical Context and Medical Management

There are four types of Ebola virus that cause illness in humans, with this specific event driven by the Bundibugyo virus subtype. According to the CDC, there are currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines or therapeutics specifically for the Bundibugyo virus.

Proactive supportive care remains the most effective strategy for optimizing patient outcomes. This clinical management approach includes fluid and electrolyte management alongside the treatment of secondary complications.

Historical Outbreak Context and Risk Assessment

This event marks the 18th recorded Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the virus was first identified there in 1976, following a previous outbreak that ended in December 2025. Outbreaks caused specifically by the Bundibugyo species have been rare, with prior occurrences recorded in Uganda in 2007 and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2015.

For the American public, the risk to the United States remains low. Travelers to the region are advised by public health officials to avoid contact with sick individuals, report any symptoms immediately, and follow official travel health guidance.