Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Outbreak Situation Report #5
- Emergency Manager's Weekly Report
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Global Highlights:
· The World Health Organization (WHO) as of May 26th provided the following updates:
o There are a total of 1,077 suspected cases and 246 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
o A total of 128 confirmed cases (121 in the DRC and 7 in Uganda) and 18 deaths (17 in the DRC and 1 in Uganda).
· WHO as of May 26th has supported the rehabilitation of a treatment facility in Bunia, DRC, to help strengthen the ongoing response. This facility has a capacity of up to 60 beds.
· On May 26th a total of $500 million has been pledged and committed by African governments and global partners to support the public health response:
o African nations have already committed initial domestic contributions representing approximately 10% of the required financing.
· The Africa Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC) on May 27th accepted a donation of emergency pharmaceutical supplies from the Indian government:
o The supplies consist of essential diagnostics, therapeutics, infection prevention and control materials, and case management support that will be deployed to affected communities in eastern DRC.
· WHO on May 27th stated that the humanitarian needs and ongoing conflict in the affected area involves multiple armed groups to include the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), CODECO militias and the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group:
o Active fighting and restrictions imposed by armed groups are hampering humanitarian operations, limiting civilian movement and disrupting access to essential services.
o Nearly 10 million people in the DRC Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tanganyika provinces are facing acute hunger between January and June 2026.
o In many affected areas, health facilities are either non-functional or operating under severe constraints due to insecurity.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Highlights:
· The DRC Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security reported the following as of May 26th:
o The Bunia airport is temporarily closed. Health controls are being strengthened in Kinshasa and Bunia.
o 14 tons of equipment has been received via WHO.
o 19 tons of testing kits has been delivered via the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
· Humanitarian corridors have been established to facilitate continuity of essential operations and logistical support.
Uganda Highlights:
· The Uganda National Task Force on Ebola Response on May 27th has taken the following actions:
o Uganda is temporarily closing the border with the DRC. The only exceptions are for authorized Ebola response teams, humanitarian operations, food and cargo transportation, and security under strict health screening and monitoring protocols.
o Any person returning from the DRC shall undergo a mandatory self-isolation for 21 days under the supervision of the Ministry of Health (MOH).
o Schools in border districts shall remain open. School authorities are directed to identify all students who have recently returned from DRC and ensure that their temperature is monitored and recorded daily for 21 days.
o All news media in the country are required to dedicate at least 30 minutes of prime-time programming daily to public education on Ebola prevention, detection, and reporting.
· On May 26th, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) and the Nebbi Hospital trained ambulance crews across different branches on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) response to strengthen preparedness and emergency response capacity.
· The URCS on May 27th have committed to take the following actions:
o Supporting 10 Points of Entry with trained volunteers conducting screening, hygiene promotion, and basic first aid.
o Deployment of standby ambulances for emergency referrals.
o Activation of Village Task Force Committees across 100 villages.
o Radio talk shows in local languages.
o Installation of handwashing facilities.
o Continued support for Safe and Dignified Burials.
United States:
· On May 27th, the U.S. Secretary of State stated in a meeting with the President of the United States the following:
o The United States cannot let in any people infected with this virus.
o The virus should be contained to the countries already impacted (DRC & Uganda).
· The U.S. State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs has issued travel advisory on this outbreak as of May 27th:
o DRC: Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
o Uganda: Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
o South Sudan: Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Sources:
· WHO Ebola outbreak - DRC 2026 Website
· Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Preparedness Snapshot, Flash update #1 | 25 may 2026
· World Health Organization Twitter Page
· Democratic Republic of the Congo Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security Twitter Page
· Uganda Ministry of Health Twitter Page
· Uganda Red Cross Society Twitter Page
· Africa CDC Twitter Page
· U.S. State Department Twitter Page Post
· U.S State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs Twitter Page
· European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Blue Sky Page
Resources
CDC Health Advisory: Ebola Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda
ECDC, Ebola disease
Comments