Ebola Outbreak Update: DRC and Uganda (May 2026)

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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda reported 127 confirmed Ebola cases and 48 deaths as of May 22, 2026, according to the CDC Online Newsroom. The outbreak, first detected in the DRC’s North Kivu province, has spread to Uganda’s Katakwi district, with health officials noting “unusual transmission patterns” in densely populated urban areas.

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What is the current status of the Ebola outbreak?
The DRC’s Ministry of Health confirmed 92 cases and 37 deaths in the DRC, while Uganda reported 35 cases and 11 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified the outbreak as a “public health emergency of international concern” on May 18, 2026, citing the rapid spread and limited containment efforts. “The virus is moving faster than our response in some regions,” said Dr. Jane Nalwanga, a WHO epidemiologist based in Kampala.

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How is the outbreak being managed?
Health workers in the DRC are prioritizing vaccination campaigns, having administered 15,000 doses of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine since April 2026. In Uganda, the government has deployed mobile clinics to remote communities and implemented travel restrictions between affected regions. The CDC announced on May 21, 2026, that it is supplying 5,000 additional vaccine vials to the DRC, citing “critical gaps in herd immunity.”

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What challenges are complicating the response?
Local officials in the DRC report “widespread distrust of healthcare workers” due to past conflicts with armed groups, which have attacked 12 vaccination sites since March 2026. In Uganda, the government has faced criticism for delayed testing, with some patients waiting up to 72 hours for results. “We are fighting both the virus and misinformation,” said Dr. Emmanuel Kabore, a public health official in Kinshasa.

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What remains uncertain about the outbreak?
The CDC noted that genetic sequencing of the virus shows “no significant mutations” that would alter its transmissibility or severity. However, experts warn that the high mobility of people across the DRC-Uganda border could lead to further spread. “We need real-time data from both countries to model the outbreak accurately,” said Dr. Amina Diallo, a virologist at the Pasteur Institute.

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How does this compare to past Ebola outbreaks?
This is the 11th Ebola outbreak in the DRC since 1976, but the first to cross into Uganda. The 2018–2020 outbreak in the DRC, which killed 2,287 people, saw similar challenges with community resistance and cross-border transmission. Health officials are using lessons from that crisis, including community engagement strategies and improved supply chains.

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What comes next for affected communities?
The WHO has pledged $15 million in emergency funding, with $5 million allocated for Uganda’s response. Local leaders in Katakwi district reported that 80% of households now have access to handwashing stations, but concerns remain about long-term sustainability. “We need more funding to prevent a second wave,” said community organizer Grace Okello.

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“Every delay in vaccination or treatment is a risk for more lives,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a May 20, 2026, statement. “This is a race against time.”

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The CDC and WHO continue to monitor the outbreak, with a focus on reducing transmission through contact tracing and isolation. As of May 22, 2026, no cases have been reported outside East Africa. Health officials urge residents in affected areas to avoid contact with sick individuals and seek medical care promptly.