A rare Bundibugyo species with no vaccine. A conflict zone with no peace. How the 17th Ebola outbreak in DRC became an international emergency in twelve days.
WHO is alerted to clusters of severe illness in Mongbwalu Health Zone, Ituri Province — deep in DRC's mineral-rich northeast.
Four health workers die within four days. Patients present with fever, body pain, vomiting, and in some cases, bleeding.
The virus has already been silently spreading since late April.
Lab analysis confirms Bundibugyo virus in 8 of 13 blood samples — a rare species of Ebola last seen in a major outbreak over a decade ago.
There is no licensed vaccine. There is no approved treatment. Standard rapid-test platforms cannot detect this species.
DRC officially declares its 17th Ebola outbreak. On the same day, Uganda confirms a Bundibugyo case in Kampala, an elderly man admitted on 11 May died on 14 May, 2026.
A second unlinked case is confirmed in Kampala within 24 hours.
The outbreak has spread south from Ituri into Nord Kivu and Sud Kivu. WHO upgrades DRC's risk to "very high."
A treatment centre is burned in Rwampara.
An American national tests positive and is evacuated to Germany.
Uganda reports 3 new confirmed cases, all in Kampala, a city of 3.6 million and a major international air hub. Uganda total: 5 confirmed cases, 1 death.
What started in a remote mining town is now in a capital city with flights across Africa and the world. A significant escalation.
WHO warns of a "catastrophic collision of disease and conflict." Armed groups control much of the outbreak zone.
10 million people in the affected provinces face acute hunger.
An Oxford/Serum Institute vaccine candidate may reach trials in 2–3 months.
No vaccine. No treatment. The outbreak continues.