Africa CDC declares DRC-Uganda Ebola outbreak continental health emergency

ETHIOPIA—The Africa CDC has officially declared the ongoing Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), following recommendations from its Emergency Consultative Group (ECG).

The declaration comes days after the WHO, through Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, classified the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) amid rising infections, cross-border transmission, and uncertainty surrounding the outbreak’s full scale.

Emergency response intensifies in DRC

In response to the escalating crisis, the WHO, together with the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security in the DRC, deployed nearly seven tonnes of emergency medical supplies and equipment to Bunia in Ituri Province.

The shipment included personal protective equipment, treatment tents, beds, and operational support materials to strengthen frontline response activities.

Authorities also dispatched a team of 35 experts from Kinshasa to reinforce surveillance, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, and community engagement efforts in the affected areas.

Under Article 3, Paragraph F of the Africa CDC Statute, the PHECS declaration empowers the continental health body to coordinate and support Member States responding to major public health emergencies.

The move followed consultations with African Union leaders, including Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as with countries considered to be at high risk of transmission.

Rising cases raise regional concerns

As of May 18, 2026, health authorities had reported about 395 suspected cases and 106 deaths linked to the outbreak in the DRC, particularly in the Mongwalu, Rwampara, and Bunia health zones. Uganda has so far confirmed two cases and one death in Kampala.

The Africa CDC warned that the risk of regional spread remains high due to heavy cross-border movement, mining-related migration, insecurity in affected communities, and weak infection prevention and control systems.

The agency also expressed concern about the proximity of the outbreak to neighbouring Rwanda and South Sudan.

Jean Kaseya said the declaration would help mobilise the institutions, technical expertise, and financial resources needed for a faster, more coordinated response.

He noted that the interconnected outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda demonstrate how closely linked Africa’s health security has become.

Vaccine and treatment challenges persist

The Africa CDC has already deployed multidisciplinary experts in epidemiology, laboratory systems, logistics, emergency coordination, and risk communication while internally mobilizing US$2 million to support outbreak response operations.

The agency is also working with WHO, UNICEF, and other partners to address growing concerns over the limited availability of approved vaccines and therapeutics for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

Current efforts focus on accelerating operational research, evaluating available medical countermeasures, and strengthening preparedness in neighbouring countries at heightened risk.