Update 26 May 2026

The outbreak of Ebola (caused by the Bundibugyo virus) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expanding. So far, more than 900 suspected cases have been reported in the DRC (not all cases can be confirmed in the laboratory), of which 119 people have died.

The outbreak is currently concentrated in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu in the DRC. Local conditions make it difficult to quickly control the outbreak: healthcare is limited, it is challenging to trace all contacts, and there are conflicts between militias.

In addition, 3 people have traveled from the DRC to Uganda and became ill there. Three healthcare workers at a hospital in Kampala became infected while providing medical care for them. It is also believed that a driver of one of the patients was infected. There are now 7 infected people in Uganda. Uganda has a lot of experience in treating patients, tracing their contacts, and isolating these individuals.

The WHO estimates the risk of this outbreak at the national level in the DRC as ‘very high’ and at the regional level as ‘high’. The global risk – and thus the risk for the Netherlands – is currently considered low by both the WHO and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

Always consult the LCR website and travel advisories for the most up-to-date travel information.

More information: ECDC

Update 20 mei 2026

In the Ebola (Bundibugyo virus) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 500 suspected cases have now been reported and 130 people have died from the disease. In 30 patients, the infection has been officially confirmed through laboratory testing. Most cases are located in Ituri province.

Uganda has also reported 2 imported cases involving individuals who had traveled to the country from the DRC.

The risk of contracting Ebola as a traveler is small. Ensure that you:

• Do not touch sick or deceased people. Also avoid contact with their bodily fluids, such as blood or urine.
• Only visit a hospital or other medical facility in the event of a medical emergency.
• Do not participate in unsafe burial rituals.
• Do not eat raw meat from wild animals (bushmeat).

More information: ECDC

Update 17 May: Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda classified as PHEIC

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The outbreak is caused by the rarer Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccines or specific treatments currently exist.

At the moment, the disease has been confirmed 8 times in DRC (in the province of Ituri) and is suspected in 246 people (not yet confirmed by lab testing). There have been 80 deaths in at least three health zones (Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu). What is worrying the WHO about this outbreak is its confirmed spread to urban areas and across national borders. Several cases have already been detected in the Ugandan capital Kampala.

What is a PHEIC and how often has one happened?

A Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is the WHO’s highest alert phase. It can be declared in the event of an (imminent) pandemic, but also in the event of major regional problems. The WHO is now concerned about the African region, not because there are concerns about a pandemic. 
With a PHEIC, the WHO is declaring an outbreak to be an international risk and calling for global coordination, funding and accelerated medical research. WHO has declared a PHEIC nine times in the past 21 years.

Update September 30, 2025: Outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Since September 4, there has been an outbreak of Ebola in the Bulape region (Kasai). So far, 64 people have been sick: 53 of them were confirmed cases, and for 11 it is likely. Nineteen patients have recovered. Since September 25, no new patients have been reported. The last Ebola patient in the Democratic Republic of Congo was discharged from the hospital on October 19. If no new Ebola patients appear in the 42 days after the discharge of this last patient, the outbreak will be considered over.

For information about travel advice, visit netherlandsworldwide.nl

More information: WHO

Update May 1, 2025: Outbreak Sudan ebolavirus in Uganda had ended

In Uganda, the outbreak of the Sudan ebolavirus has ended. It has been more than 42 days since the last reported case of the disease, after which it can be officially declared that the outbreak has ended. During the outbreak, which occurred in the spring of 2025, a total of 14 patients were reported with the Sudan ebolavirus (12 confirmed in the lab and two probable cases). Four people have died.

The Sudan ebolavirus (Orthoebolavirus sudanense), also known as the Sudan virus, causes a severe, often fatal illness. It belongs to the same virus family as the Zaire ebolavirus, which has caused outbreaks more frequently. The CFR (Case Fatality Rate, the number of people who die after infection) is high. In 2022, there was also an outbreak in Uganda with the Sudan ebolavirus, where 164 people were infected and 77 died (CFR 47%). 

There is no medicine or vaccine for the Sudan ebolavirus. Early supportive treatment in the hospital can significantly reduce the number of deaths from this disease.

Link to WHO