CDC launches international response to Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has mobilized response activities after an Ebola outbreak was confirmed in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and additional cases were reported in Uganda, according to a press release issued on May 17, 2026. The agency was notified by the DRC and Uganda Ministries of Health as soon as cases were confirmed and is actively supporting response needs. The World Health Organization subsequently declared a public health emergency of international concern regarding the epidemic. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a species of orthoebolavirus. CDC stated that the risk to the American public remains low.

Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and does not spread through casual contact or air. The affected areas of Ituri Province are logistically challenging regions in eastern DRC, marked by limited transportation infrastructure and difficult terrain. Ongoing security concerns can complicate access for response teams and medical personnel. CDC most recently responded to an Ebola outbreak in the DRC that ended in December 2025. This event marks the DRC’s 17th Ebola virus outbreak since 1976, and its second outbreak of Bundibugyo virus.

CDC’s Country Offices in the DRC and Uganda are coordinating across the U.S. Government, Ministries of Health, and international partners to support response operations. These activities include surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, infection prevention and control, and other outbreak containment efforts. CDC continues to closely monitor the situation and has systems in place to detect and respond rapidly to potential public health threats. The agency is also supporting interagency partners coordinating the safe withdrawal of a small number of Americans directly affected by the outbreak. CDC notes its extensive experience in supporting Ebola response operations in the region.

To date, there are reports of 10 confirmed cases, 336 suspected cases including 88 deaths in DRC, and 2 confirmed cases including 1 death in Uganda. CDC stated that case and death numbers are subject to adjustment as the situation evolves. The agency described its workforce as including “some of the world’s foremost experts in supporting Ebola response operations in the region.” CDC also reaffirmed that it “remains committed to protecting global health security.” Coordination continues with USG agencies and international partners.

CDC’s mobilization underscores the scale of the cross-border response now underway in eastern DRC and Uganda. The agency continues to leverage existing relationships with the affected countries’ Ministries of Health to support containment efforts. Response priorities remain focused on surveillance, diagnostics, and infection prevention and control. CDC directs the public to its “Ebola Disease: Current Situation” page for the latest updates and public health information. The agency confirmed that monitoring and response activities will continue as the situation develops.