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The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
As of 16 May 2026, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths have been reported across at least three health zones in the DRC’s Ituri Province. Two confirmed cases have also been identified in Kampala, Uganda, in individuals who had travelled from the DRC, confirming international spread of the disease.
The WHO has noted significant uncertainties around the true scale of the outbreak. Compounding factors include ongoing insecurity, high population mobility, and limited healthcare infrastructure in the affected regions. Critically, unlike other Ebola strains, there are currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics for the Bundibugyo virus.
The WHO advises against any international travel restrictions, emphasising that border closures are counterproductive and unsupported by science.
A timely reminder for Australasian organisations: With a PHEIC now declared, this is an ideal opportunity to review and update your organisation’s infectious disease policies and procedures — including case identification protocols, infection prevention and control measures, and staff communication plans — so you are prepared should a case arise in Australia.
You can read the full article on the WHO website here: