A concerning outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a severe and often deadly form of Ebola, is rapidly expanding across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has spread to neighboring Uganda. Health authorities, supported by international partners, are working tirelessly to control the escalating situation, which has seen a significant rise in confirmed cases and fatalities in recent weeks. As of June 6, 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo reported 515 confirmed cases of BVD and 91 deaths, indicating a case fatality rate of 17.7%. The virus has reached 25 health zones across Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces, with Ituri province bearing the brunt of the outbreak, accounting for 94% of all confirmed cases. This rapid increase is partly due to enhanced testing and diagnostic efforts, which have helped identify a backlog of previously unconfirmed infections. Uganda has also reported 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths among imported cases, and one probable case who died. Five individuals have recovered in Uganda. Importantly, all cases in Uganda are epidemiologically linked to transmission originating in the DRC, either through travelers seeking medical care or secondary infections among their contacts and healthcare workers. There has been no documented evidence of community-wide transmission within Uganda, suggesting that current containment measures are effectively limiting broader spread within the country. ## Understanding Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) Bundibugyo virus disease is one of the types of Ebola disease, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a member of the *Orthoebolavirus* genus. It's a zoonotic illness, meaning it typically spreads from animals to humans, with fruit bats suspected to be the natural reservoir. Humans usually become infected through close contact with blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected wildlife, such as bats or non-human primates. Once in the human population, the virus spreads rapidly from person to person through direct contact with an infected individual's bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces and items. The incubation period for BVD, the time from infection to the appearance of symptoms, can range from two to 21 days. Crucially, individuals are not infectious until they start showing symptoms. Early symptoms are often non-specific and can include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, making it difficult to distinguish BVD from other common illnesses like malaria without laboratory testing. As the disease progresses, patients may develop gastrointestinal symptoms, organ dysfunction, and, in some cases, severe internal and external bleeding. With no approved vaccines or specific treatments currently available for BVD, controlling its spread relies heavily on robust public health measures, highlighting the urgency of the current response. ## The Outbreak's Grip on DR Congo The Democratic Republic of Congo faces significant challenges in containing the BVD outbreak. The sheer scale of the increase, with an additional 390 confirmed cases and 74 deaths reported since late May, underscores the rapidly evolving situation. While increased testing capacity contributes to these numbers, it also reflects continued active transmission. Ituri province, particularly health zones like Bunia, Rwampara, Mongbwalu, and Nyankunde, remains the epicenter, accounting for the vast majority of cases. Compounding these public health efforts are ongoing security incidents in affected provinces. These incidents routinely hinder access for response teams, disrupt crucial surveillance and intervention activities, and elevate the risk of undetected virus transmission. Such volatile conditions necessitate close collaboration with local leaders and communities to ensure the safety of health workers and the effective implementation of life-saving measures. Tragically, 16 healthcare workers have already been infected, highlighting the severe risks faced by frontline responders. ## Uganda's Response to Cross-Border Transmission Uganda's situation, while concerning, shows a different pattern of transmission. The 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths and one probable death, are largely imported from the DRC or secondary infections directly linked to these imported cases. The country has not yet experienced widespread community transmission, which is a testament to the swift contact tracing and public health interventions put in place. Cases have been identified in Kampala and Wakiso districts, indicating the potential for spread in urban centers if not properly managed. One notable case involved a Congolese national who traveled from DRC, through Uganda, to the United Arab Emirates, and then back to Uganda. International health authorities, including the WHO, worked closely with the UAE and Ugandan public health bodies to assess risks and trace contacts. Investigations confirmed that the individual did not exhibit clear BVD symptoms during their travel to or from the UAE, and no secondary cases or onward transmission were identified in the UAE, affirming a very low risk of spread in that context. This incident underscores the importance of global cooperation through mechanisms like the International Health Regulations (IHR) to manage cross-border health threats effectively. ## Coordinated Global and Local Efforts Responding to such a complex outbreak demands a multi-pronged, coordinated approach. National health authorities in the DRC and Uganda are collaborating closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and other international partners. This collective effort includes launching a joint Ebola continental preparedness and response plan, which seeks US$ 518 million to bolster African countries' ability to prepare for, swiftly detect, and effectively respond to the outbreak. Key response activities encompass a wide array of public health interventions. These include strengthening interagency coordination, deploying expert field teams, providing essential medical supplies, enhancing surveillance systems, and boosting laboratory diagnostic capacities. A major focus is on implementing rigorous infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in healthcare settings and establishing safe, optimized treatment centers. Furthermore, extensive risk communication and community engagement initiatives are vital to educate the public, dispel misinformation, and ensure safe burial practices. Research into potential medical countermeasures, including candidate vaccines and treatments, is also ongoing, guided by expert advisory groups like WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE). ## Assessing the Risk and Future Outlook Based on the latest information, WHO has reassessed the risk associated with the Bundibugyo virus outbreak. The risk level within the Democratic Republic of Congo remains very high due to ongoing transmission, the expansion into new health zones, and the resulting potential for further national and regional spread. Uganda's risk is assessed as high, given the confirmed cross-border spread and the historical epidemiological links along the DRC-Uganda corridor, which has been impacted by various Ebola outbreaks in the past. For countries sharing land borders with the DRC and Uganda, the risk is also deemed high. This assessment considers sustained population mobility driven by cross-border trade and mining activities, coupled with variations in preparedness and response capacities across different nations. However, for the rest of the African region and at the global level, the risk remains low. WHO continues to advise against any restrictions on travel or trade to or from the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda, emphasizing that such measures are not supported by current available information and can hinder humanitarian efforts and economic stability. The International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee issued temporary recommendations on May 22, 2026, highlighting the critical need for coordinated outbreak control, enhanced cross-border collaboration, and sustained surveillance and preparedness to prevent wider regional spread. As the world watches, ongoing commitment to these strategies, coupled with continued community trust and engagement, will be essential in bringing this Bundibugyo virus outbreak under control and protecting public health.