Democratic Republic of the Congo Ebola Outbreak Situation Report #2

DRC Ebola Outbreak SitRep 2.pdf

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Global Highlights:  

·       The World Health Organization (WHO) as of May 18^th is reporting a total of 528 suspected cases:

o   There have been at least 132 deaths reported.

o   A total of 668 contacts have so far been identified, although contact follow-up remains challenging in some areas of DRC.

o   Numbers are rapidly changing as surveillance, contact tracing and laboratory testing are being scaled up.

·       The WHO Director-General on May 16^th declared this outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

·       As of May 20^th, WHO has shipped over 17 tons of emergency supplies (personal protective equipment, medical supplies, tents, stretchers and medicines) to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

·       Laboratory capacity is being expanded, with deployment of lab teams and mobile laboratories to affected areas in the DRC to increase local testing and diagnostic activities.

·       WHO along with the Alliance for International Medical Action, Doctors without Borders (MSF), the UN Migration Agency and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is supporting the setup of treatment facilities in affected areas.

·       The WHO Director-General announced on May 20^th, a total of $3.9 million has been released from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies.

·       Case History:

o   On May 5th, WHO was alerted of a high-mortality outbreak of unknown illness in the Mongbwalu Health Zone, including deaths among health workers.

o   The first currently known suspected case, was a health worker, with reported onset of symptoms (fever, hemorrhaging, vomiting and intense malaise) on April 24th. The individual died at a medical center in Bunia.

o   Most of the suspected cases are between 20 and 39 years old, with females accounting for over 60%, suggesting significant risks associated with household and caregiver transmission.

o   The incubation period for Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) ranges from 2 to 21 days, and individuals are usually not infectious until symptom onset. Early symptoms are non-specific, including fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, which complicates clinical diagnosis and can delay detection. These progress to gastrointestinal symptoms, organ dysfunction, and in some cases hemorrhagic manifestations.

o   The DRCs National Institute of Biomedical Research on May 14^th analyzed 13 blood samples from the Rwampara Health Zone (Ituri Province):

ü  Laboratory analysis confirmed BVD in eight of these samples which is a species of Ebola.

ü  The case fatality rates in the past two BVD outbreaks have ranged from 30% to 50%.

o   Unlike Ebola virus disease, there is no licensed vaccine or specific therapeutics against BVD, though early supportive care is lifesaving.

·       On May 19^th the Africa Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC) deployed eight personnel to Bunia (Ituri Province) to reinforce the response to the outbreak:

o   This multidisciplinary team includes field epidemiologists, as well as specialists in digital health, risk communication, and community engagement.

·       The Africa CDC also issued a statement on the United States broad travel ban regarding this outbreak.

Democratic Republic of the Congo Highlights:

·       The DRC Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security on May 19^th reported the following:

o   513 suspected cases (8 confirmed).

o   69 people have been hospitalized.

o   131 deaths, including four health workers.

·       38 public health workers from WHO and the DRCs Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security were deployed to the Ituri Province on May 17^th.

·       Ongoing conflict in the Ituri province restricts the movement of surveillance teams, limits the deployment of Rapid Response Teams, and hinders the secure transport of laboratory samples.

·       Contact tracing is challenging due to difficult access and highly mobile populations, increasing the risk of high-risk contacts being lost to follow up or never identified.

·       Humanitarian needs in the area are dire:

o   Ituri has 273,403 displaced people, with a total of 1.9 million people in need according to the Humanitarian Response Plan 2026 for DRC.

o   The province recorded 5,800 protection incidents and 11 incidents against humanitarian actors.

Uganda Highlights:

·       The Uganda Ministry of Health (MOH) reported that they have two confirmed cases and both were imported from the DRC.

·       The first case in the country involved a 59-year-old Congolese male admitted in Kampala on May 11th with fever, respiratory distress, and related symptoms. He passed away on May 14^th.

·       On May 18^th, the MOH announced a temporary ban on handshakes and other forms of physical greeting.

·       MOH has also deployed surveillance teams in the western border from Arua to Kisoro.

·       On May 19^th the U.S. State Department announced funding to establish up to 50 treatment centers in the DRC and Uganda through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance.  On May 20^th the MOH stated via their twitter page that they have not been engaged on the establishment of the treatment centers and is unaware where they will be set-up in their country.

United States Highlights:

·       On May 17^th an American citizen was exposed to BVD while caring for individuals that tested positive. This individual has been transported to Germany for treatment and care.

·       The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on May 18^th reported that they have increased traveler screening and monitoring, coordination with airlines and ports of entry, strengthened hospital and laboratory readiness.

·       The United States has implemented additional entry restrictions that applies to non-U.S. passport holders who have traveled through affected areas in Uganda, the DRC, or South Sudan within the past 21 days.

·       The CDC reported on May 20^th that six other American citizens were identified as high-risk contacts, and they will be transported to Europe in the near future.

Sources:

·       Disease Outbreak News, Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda, May 16

·       CDC Ebola Disease: Current Situation

·       Transcript - Update on Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, 5/20/2026

·       Democratic Republic of the Congo Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security Twitter Page

·       Uganda Ministry of Health Twitter Page

·       Africa CDC Twitter Page

·       WHO African Region Twitter Page

Resources

Epidemic of Ebola Disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda determined a public health emergency of international concern (New)

https://www.who.int/news/item/17-05-2026-epidemic-of-ebola-disease-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-and-uganda-determined-a-public-health-emergency-of-international-concern

CDC Health Advisory: Ebola Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda (New)

https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00530.html 

Funding cuts led to delayed detection of deadly Ebola outbreak in DRC (New)

https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/funding-cuts-led-delayed-detection-deadly-ebola-outbreak-drc

ECDC, Ebola disease

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/ebola-and-marburg-fevers