Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation

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Key points

  • CDC is responding to an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in remote areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
  • 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.
Map of Africa with Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda highlighted.

Outbreak overview

Risk to the United States

  • To date, no Ebola cases associated with this outbreak have been reported in the United States.
  • The likelihood of Ebola spreading to the United States is considered very low.
  • If a case was diagnosed in the United States, the risk of Ebola spreading in the United States is also low due to the strength of our public health system and infection control measures.
  • CDC is responding to an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
  • The outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola virus, in northeastern DRC and Uganda's capital Kampala.
  • In DRC, cases have been confirmed in Haut-Uele, Ituri, Nord-Kivu (North Kivu), Sud-Kivu (South Kivu), and Tshopo provinces.
    • This is the 17th outbreak of Ebola in DRC.
    • This outbreak is spreading substantially faster than previous Ebola outbreaks and is now the third largest Ebola outbreak on record.
    • This Ebola outbreak surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases within 40 days of response activation. In comparison, the 2018 Ebola outbreak in North Kivu, DRC, took approximately 235 days to reach more than 1,000 cases.
    • The number of reported deaths has risen rapidly as well, with more than 100 fatalities reported in the first week of July.
  • All cases in Uganda so far have been diagnosed in its capital of Kampala, with no community spread reported. Uganda's last reported case, confirmed on June 21, was related to travel from DRC.
  • The response to this outbreak is challenging due to a number of complex circumstances in the region.
    • Limited health infrastructure, including limited access to healthcare, diagnostic and laboratory services, infection prevention and control supplies, and other basic services make stopping this outbreak more difficult.
    • Ongoing conflict in the area where the outbreak is occurring creates security issues and complicates contact tracing and infection prevention and control.
    • Violence against healthcare workers and shortages of personal protective equipment are leading to healthcare workers becoming infected while treating patients.
    • Frequent population movement and cross-border travel increase the risk of spread to Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and to other areas.
    • Lack of trust in the government and misinformation make communicating about Ebola more difficult.
  • CDC is assessing travelers arriving in the United States who have recently been in DRC or Uganda, as well as neighboring South Sudan, for symptoms of and possible exposure to Ebola.
    • On May 18, 2026, CDC, the Department of Homeland Security, and other appropriate federal agencies implemented public health entry screening, entry restrictions, and other public health measures to prevent Ebola disease 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 July 13, 2026. It will be in effect for 30 days.
  • CDC recommends avoiding non-essential travel to Haut-Uele, Ituri, Nord-Kivu (North Kivu), Sud-Kivu (South Kivu), and Tshopo provinces in DRC. Travelers to other parts of DRC or Uganda should take precautions to avoid Ebola exposure and monitor for symptoms while traveling and for 21 days after leaving.

Latest data

Reported cases

This is a rapidly evolving situation, and case counts are subject to change.

The DRC, Uganda, and France ministries of health (MOH) report the following:

Map of affected areas

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Map showing areas with reported Ebola cases in DRC and Uganda

To date, the Ebola disease outbreak in DRC has been confirmed in Haut-Uele, Ituri, Nord-Kivu (North Kivu), Sud-Kivu (South Kivu), and Tshopo provinces. Cases related to the DRC outbreak also have been reported in Uganda's capital of Kampala.

CDC response

CDC is working internationally and domestically to respond to this outbreak and prevent Ebola from entering the United States. About 400 people at CDC are involved in responding to the outbreak, including more than 120 people deployed to the affected countries.

Keep Reading Ebola Outbreak: What CDC is Doing

Information for travelers returning from Ebola-affected areas

CDC has guidance for people who recently have been in areas affected by this Ebola outbreak, including what to do if you feel sick after travel.

Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas
What to know if you are returning to the United States from DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan.

Resources

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Travel information

For healthcare providers

For public health professionals

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)