May 16, 2026

On May 15, health authorities in Congo announced outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola, a strain with 50% fatality rate. As of Saturday, 250 cases were suspected. The death toll reached 81, including 80 in Congo and one additional death in Uganda.

The outbreak reportedly started in Ituri, bordering Uganda and South Sudan. Authorities also confirmed cases in Rwampara and Mongwalu. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) stated concerns of rapid spread as people frequently traveled in and out of the region.

The first reported patient, a nurse, reported her Ebola-like symptoms in the province capital on April 24, and had since died in a local medical center.

Placide Mbala, head of epidemiology and global health at Institut National pour la Recherche Biomedicale (INRB), noted the local health authoritues used Genexpert testing machines (manufactured by Cepheid) which only tested for Ebola Zaire, the most common virus variant in the area, making the outbreak challenging to detect early and delaying the response. He also raised concerns with access to testing of patients in regions abundant with local military activities. Several groups were fighting for access to local mining sites, complicating the emergency response, he said.

International medical aid groups were also coordinating their response to improve access to testing, protection, and treatment. World Health Organization (WHO) had approved $500,000 for emergency response, and provided medical staff and supplies to the area.

Bundibugyo Ebola was first discovered in 2006. There was no known vaccination, authorities said.

• DRC health minister warns ‘very high’ Ebola lethality rate as toll hits 80, Al Jazeera, May 16, 2026
• Major outbreak of rare Ebola virus species in northern Congo alarms scientists, ScienceInsider (see Science (journal)), May 16, 2026