DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO — An outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease was reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May 2026. Additional cases of Bundibugyo virus disease were detected in Uganda following the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began in April 2026. Global confirmed Ebola cases reached 1,000 as of the current outbreak timeline. Cases are reported in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. The epicenter of the current outbreak includes the Mongbwalu, Rwampara, and Bunia health zones in Ituri province.

Children make up 15 percent of confirmed Ebola cases in the current outbreak and account for over 25 percent of deaths. Children are almost twice as likely to die from Ebola as adults in the current outbreak. More than 130 children have lost one or both parents to Ebola in Ituri province.

UNICEF is providing support to 135 children orphaned by the Ebola outbreak in Ituri. UNICEF opened a nursery in Ituri for children separated from parents or caregivers due to Ebola. Catherine Russell, UNICEF chief, said, "Children are especially vulnerable because they depend on caregivers and cannot distance themselves from a sick parent or sibling in the same way that an adult can." Russell added, "Our teams in Ituri have met children who have lost their mothers, and in some cases both parents, to Ebola." UNICEF is seeking $70.7 million for its six-month Ebola response, with $20 million still unfunded. "To better protect children, we need sustained access, and the resources needed to reach every affected community," Russell said.

The World Health Organization built a four-bed Ebola isolation and care unit at Bunia Central Prison in Ituri. This isolation unit was built in collaboration with the UN Peacekeeping Mission, MONUSCO. The majority of the workforce that built the prison isolation unit consisted of inmates. Bunia Central Prison houses 2,000 inmates. Michele Di Marco, World Health Organization technical coordinator, said, "The project was delivered in close collaboration with local community members, with the majority of the workforce made up of inmates who contributed their skills and labour, demonstrating the positive impact of community engagement and rehabilitation efforts in strengthening the local health response."

A study published in the journal Eurosurveillance analyzed historical Ebola data from 1976 through May 2026. The study identified 28 confirmed Ebola cases linked to epidemics outside Africa during that period. One exported case has been linked to the 2026 Bundibugyo outbreak.