WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak in DRC Amid Conflict and Bundibugyo Strain

The Resurgence of Ebola in Eastern DRC

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is dealing with a new Ebola outbreak in Ituri province, raising concerns about a public health crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) labeled the situation a ‘public health emergency of international concern’ on May 18, 2026, after 88 confirmed deaths and over 300 suspected cases in the DRC. Two confirmed deaths were also reported in Uganda, though cross-border spread hasn’t exceeded these numbers. This resurgence, six years after the last outbreak in the region, has sparked questions about the country’s ability to control the disease amid ongoing conflict and economic challenges.

A History of Recurring Outbreaks

The DRC has had 17 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified in 1976. The worst occurred between 2018 and 2020, with 2,240 cases and 1,440 deaths in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. This current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, a rare variant without approved treatments or vaccines. The Bundibugyo strain, named after the district in western Uganda where it was first found in 2007, has no approved treatments or vaccines. A 2020 study in BMC Medicine found that conflict zones see Ebola outbreaks 40% faster than stable regions, highlighting the need for combined conflict resolution and public health strategies. The 2018–2019 outbreak, which saw 2,240 cases and 1,440 deaths, was worsened by armed conflict, population displacement, and weak health systems, as detailed in a The Lancet analysis.

“This is not just a health crisis—it is a call to action for global solidarity.”

Conflict as a Central Obstacle

Conflict remains a major challenge in containing the outbreak. Past Ebola resurgences in the DRC have often happened in insecure areas, particularly in eastern provinces like North Kivu and Ituri, where armed conflict, population movement, distrust of authorities, and difficult terrain have blocked contact tracing and patient isolation. Jean Pierre Badombo, a former mayor of Mongbwalu, which is at the center of the outbreak, told Reuters that people started getting sick in mid-April after a large open-casket funeral procession arrived from Bunia. ‘After that, we experienced a cascade of deaths,’ he said. A 2020 study in Infection Prevention in Practice noted that large-scale contact tracing, testing, and vaccination campaigns required major WHO and partner support, yet routine health services were already strained. The current outbreak in Ituri, a gold-rich region with a long-running conflict between Hema and Lendu militias, mirrors these historical challenges. Over 50,000 people have died in this conflict since 1999, further destabilizing the region’s health infrastructure.

CDC’s September 2025 Outbreak Declaration

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared an outbreak in Kasai Province on September 4, 2025, with 64 confirmed or probable cases and 45 deaths as of November 5, 2025. Over 42,000 people have been vaccinated in the remote Bulape health zone, where limited roads and transportation both reduce immediate spread risk and complicate emergency response efforts. The CDC also announced new travel screening measures to prevent the virus’s spread, including enhanced health screenings for travelers departing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). These measures were implemented in response to the growing outbreak and the risk of cross-border transmission.

The US Doctor Case and Global Response

An American doctor contracted Ebola while working in the DRC, prompting heightened global attention to the outbreak. The CDC’s travel screening measures aim to prevent further cross-border transmission, reflecting concerns about the virus’s potential to spread beyond the region.

Strain on the Healthcare System

The DRC’s healthcare system is under unprecedented pressure, managing multiple outbreaks at once. In addition to Ebola, the country is dealing with cholera, measles, polio, yellow fever, and mpox, stretching limited resources. WHO guidance emphasizes strengthening surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory capacity, community engagement, and infection control in health facilities. However, unsafe burials, delayed care-seeking, and weak community engagement have historically contributed to Ebola’s spread, as noted in a 2019 NEJM study. The current outbreak highlights the fragility of the health system, which remains under-resourced and overburdened by years of conflict and aid cuts.

“After that, we experienced a cascade of deaths.”

Survivor Follow-Up and Long-Term Impacts

WHO has documented significant challenges for Ebola survivors, including stigma, job loss, and health complications such as mental health issues, eye problems, and joint pain. A 2023 WHO report emphasized the need for sustained follow-up, recommending a minimum of 12 months of monitoring for survivors to detect potential viral recurrence and to address long-term health and social impacts. This focus on survivor care adds a new dimension to the outbreak, highlighting the human cost beyond immediate mortality.

The Broader Pattern: Ebola and Fragile States

This outbreak fits into a broader pattern of recurrent Ebola epidemics in fragile states. The WHO’s 2025 report links 78% of outbreaks to regions with weak governance, armed conflict, or humanitarian crises. The DRC’s experience underscores the interconnectedness of public health and geopolitical stability. As WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, ‘This is not just a health crisis—it is a call to action for global solidarity.’ The challenge now is to balance immediate containment efforts with long-term investments in health infrastructure and peacebuilding.