Key points
- Ebola disease is a serious, often fatal illness caused by an infection with one of several orthoebolaviruses, which are mostly found in sub-Saharan Africa.
- CDC has responded to Ebola disease outbreaks for decades, most notably during the 2014-2016 West African epidemic that caused nearly 29,000 cases.
- The current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda is caused by Bundibugyo virus disease, a type of Ebola disease.
- To date, no cases of Ebola disease from this outbreak have been confirmed in the United States. The overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low.
About Ebola disease
Ebola disease is caused by an infection with one of several orthoebolaviruses, which are mostly found in sub-Saharan Africa. There are 4 types of orthoebolaviruses that cause illness in people. Ebola disease was first identified in 1976 after an outbreak in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Since then, these viruses have periodically emerged from an unknown animal host and infected people in several African countries.
CDC has responded to Ebola disease outbreaks for decades, most notably during the 2014-2016 West African epidemic that caused nearly 29,000 cases. CDC provides technical expertise in surveillance, case investigation, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and laboratory testing, to impacted countries during an Ebola outbreak.
To date, no cases of Ebola disease have been confirmed in the United States because of this outbreak. The overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low.
Healthcare providers and family members caring for someone with Ebola disease without proper infection control methods have the highest risk of infection.
People with Ebola disease may experience "dry" symptoms early in the course of illness. These symptoms may include fever, aches, pains, and fatigue. As the person becomes sicker, the illness typically progresses to "wet" symptoms and may include diarrhea, vomiting, and unexplained bleeding. Symptoms of Ebola disease may appear 2 to 21 days after contact with the virus. On average, people begin showing symptoms 8 to 10 days after exposure.
Death rates vary from about 25%-90% depending on the type of orthoebolavirus and if supportive care is available. Bundibugyo virus has had 2 previous outbreaks, 1 in Uganda (2007) and 1 in DRC (2012), with death rates of 25% and 50%, respectively.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) blood testing is used to diagnose Ebola disease in people who are alive. Testing can also be done for orthoebolavirus antibodies to see if a patient recently had Ebola disease.
Healthcare providers who suspect Ebola must isolate the patient, notify public health authorities, and work with public health authorities to obtain testing.
Bundibugyo virus has no approved treatments. People have a much better chance of surviving if they receive supportive care early like fluids; medicines for their symptoms like high blood pressure, fever, and vomiting and diarrhea; and treatment for other infections if they occur while sick with Ebola disease.
There are two FDA-approved treatments for Ebola disease caused by the Orthoebolavirus zairense species. The other orthoebolaviruses, like Bundibugyo, do not have approved treatments.
Yes. People can get Ebola disease through contact with the body fluids of an infected sick or dead person. A person is only contagious once they begin showing symptoms of the disease. You cannot get Ebola from simply being near someone or passing them in public spaces because it doesn't spread through the air.
About the outbreak
CDC is responding to an Ebola disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. As of June 17, 2026, no Ebola cases associated with this outbreak have been reported in the United States. The risk of spread to the United States is considered low at this time. U.S. public health measures are in place, including temporary entry restrictions for certain travelers, public health entry screening, traveler monitoring, and domestic readiness for rapid case identification, isolation, testing, and contact tracing. U.S. air passengers arriving from DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan are being routed to four U.S. airports for enhanced public health screening.
Case counts change daily. Visit Ebola Disease: Current Situation for the latest information.
This outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense), one of 4 types of orthoebolavirus that causes Ebola disease in people. This is the 17th recorded Ebola outbreak in DRC since the virus was first identified in 1976.
There have only been 2 previous outbreaks of the Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus, 1 in Uganda and 1 in DRC, with death rates of 25% and 50%, respectively.
CDC has clinical guidance for treating patients with suspected, probable, or confirmed viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs), including Ebola disease. CDC also has information about VHF infection prevention and control, laboratory diagnostics, environmental control, and preparedness.
CDC has guidance for public health departments, including VHF response planning, managing people with high-risk exposures, laboratory testing, traveler assessment and public health management, and recommendations for public health partners who may encounter Ebola virus exposures.
If you are notified of a suspect, probable, or confirmed case of any VHF, including Ebola, immediately call the CDC Emergency Operations Center at 770-488-7100 and request to speak to the clinical team for the Ebola response.
Entry restrictions
On May 18, CDC, the Department of Homeland Security, and other appropriate federal agencies implemented entry restrictions as part of layered public health measures to prevent Ebola from entering the United States. An Order continuing the suspension of the right to introduce specified foreign nationals into the United States was issued on June 21, 2026. It will be in effect for 30 days. More information about enhanced travel health measures is available:
CDC issued emergency public health measures to help reduce the risk of Ebola spreading into the United States during the current outbreak response. Ebola is a serious viral disease that spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and can be fatal. Because people exposed to Ebola may travel before symptoms begin, CDC is implementing layered prevention measures.
Under a CDC Order effective May 18, 2026, and amended May 22, 2026, certain non-U.S. citizens, including U.S. lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), who were in DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda, within the past 21 days are temporarily prohibited from entering the United States. An Order continuing the suspension of the right to introduce specified foreign nationals into the United States was issued on June 21, 2026. It will be in effect for 30 days.
The Order does not prevent entry of:
- U.S. citizens
- U.S. nationals
- Certain U.S. government and military personnel
The order allows case-by-case humanitarian or law enforcement exceptions and Department of Homeland Security-approved entry processes with CDC-documented mitigation protocols.
The suspension is temporary and is currently set to remain in effect for 30 days while CDC completes a public health risk assessment and coordinates mitigation measures with partner agencies.
Entry screening
Public health entry screening cannot identify travelers who are infected but not yet showing symptoms. Ebola symptoms can develop up to 21 days after exposure. Screening is one part of a broader, layered public health approach that also includes exit screening overseas, airline illness reporting, and public health symptom monitoring after arrival.
For more information on the entry screening process, visit Information for Travelers Arriving in the U.S. from Ebola-Affected Countries.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines whether a traveler needs to be redirected for public health entry screening.
Passengers whose travel was already booked to land at one of the airports designated for public health entry screening will not be redirected to another airport.
DHS will determine if someone who transits through one of the affected countries (DRC, South Sudan, Uganda), or who remains on board when their plane lands in one of those countries, is considered to have been in DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan for the purpose of redirection to a designated U.S. airport. If they determine that you departed from or were otherwise present in one of these countries, your ticket will automatically be re-booked by your airline or your airline will reach out to you to update your itinerary so that you land at one of the airports where public health entry screening is being conducted.
CDC does not reimburse travelers for expenses incurred as a result of redirection. This includes missed flights or other costs related to redirected travel. These restrictions are in place to facilitate public health entry screening to reduce the risk of Ebola spreading into the United States during the current outbreak.
Refunds, credits, or other travel-related accommodations are determined by individual airlines, travel providers, and insurance companies in accordance with their own policies. Some companies may base their policies on CDC's travel recommendations or requirements. In some cases, trip cancellation insurance can protect your financial investment if you need to change your itinerary because of an international infectious disease outbreak. Visit CDC's Travelers' Health website if you'd like to learn more about travel insurance, including trip cancellation insurance. CDC notes that this website regarding travel insurance is provided solely for informational purposes and does not constitute endorsement, actual or implied, of any specific provider or organization or consumer advice.
Travelers being monitored in the U.S.
CDC is not recommending restrictions on domestic or international travel for people being monitored in the United States after they have been in an Ebola-affected country unless they have a high-risk exposure to Ebola virus. However, CDC recommends avoiding travel to international destinations during the 21-day monitoring period. This recommendation is because destination countries may have entry restrictions or other policies in place, and the capacity to identify and treat BVD is not known for many countries.
All people under monitoring who plan to travel domestically or who must travel internationally during the 21 days should notify their health department in advance of travel so appropriate notifications can be made to public health authorities at their destination, if necessary.
Travelers should be aware that if they travel internationally and return to the U.S. during their monitoring period, their return trip will be routed again to an airport where public health entry screening is being conducted.