Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Current Situation
On May 5, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) was alerted of a high-mortality outbreak of unknown illness in the Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including deaths among health workers. On May 15, 2026 laboratory analysis confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a species of Ebola. On May 15, 2026, DRC, officially declared the 17th Ebola Disease outbreak; concurrently, Uganda confirmed an outbreak of BVD following the identification of one imported case from DRC. On May 17, 2026, WHO determined that the Ebola disease caused by BVD in DRC and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. There is no vaccine for BVD, and treatment consists of supportive care. There have been 2 previous outbreaks of BVD, one in Uganda (2007) and one in DRC (2012), with death rates of 32% and 55%, respectively. The current outbreak is now the largest caused by BVD.
No Ebola cases associated with this outbreak have been reported in the United States.
- The current risk to the public for Ebola in Alameda County is low. CDC assessed the risk posed by this ongoing outbreak to the U.S. population during the next 3 months as low.
- The greatest concern for Ebola is among people who are currently in affected regions in DRC and Uganda or have recently traveled there.
- CDC began screening returning travelers from the region starting May 21, 2026. Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) receives return traveler information and public health assessments via CDPH. ACPHD then confirms the risk assessment and monitors Alameda County return travelers actively or passively for symptoms of Ebola disease.
- CDC has travel notices in place for DRC and Uganda to help Americans planning travel to either country learn how to keep themselves safe from Ebola.
More information about this outbreak: