#19,160
While details remain scant, overnight Africa CDC released an urgent statement overnight on what appears to be an unusually large outbreak of a non-Zaire Ebola virus in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of the Congo; centered primarily in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones.
With the caveat that only 13 of 20 samples have tested positive - they report 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths - which (if correct) suggests this outbreak may have been ongoing for some time.
The preliminary finding of a `non-Zaire' Ebola strain is noteworthy. While a more complete genomic analysis expected within the next 24 hours, the two biggest contenders are the Sudan Ebolavirus (SEBOV) and Bundibugyo Ebolavirus (BEBOV).
Previously, 15 of the 16 confirmed Ebola outbreaks in the DRC since 1976 have been Ebola Zaire, with one outlier, an outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebolavirus in 2012.
A non-Zaire ebolavirus could complicate matters, since the current Ebola vaccine is designed specifically for ZEBOV, and it is not expected to provide significant cross protection against other strains.
First, the statement from Africa CDC, after which I'll return with a bit more.
Africa CDC Calls Urgent Regional Coordination Meeting Following Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Ituri Province, DRC
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia / Kinshasa, DRC, 15 May 2026 — The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is closely monitoring the confirmed Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and is working with national authorities and partners to support a rapid, coordinated response.
Following consultations with the DRC’s Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute, preliminary laboratory results from the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) have detected Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples tested. The results suggest a non-Zaire ebolavirus, with sequencing ongoing to further characterise the strain. Results are expected within the next 24 hours with support from Africa CDC.
As of the latest update, about 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been reported, mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Four deaths have been reported among laboratory-confirmed cases. Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia, pending confirmation.
Africa CDC is concerned about the risk of further spread due to the urban context of Bunia and Rwampara, intense population movement, mining-related mobility in Mongwalu, insecurity in affected areas, gaps in contact listing, infection prevention and control challenges, and the proximity of affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan.
In response, Africa CDC is convening an urgent high-level coordination meeting today, 15 May 2026, with health authorities from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, together with key partners including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, FAO, the United States CDC, the European CDC, China CDC, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Gilead Sciences, Merck & Co., Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Roche, Abbott Laboratories, Cepheid, BioNTech, Moderna, Evotec Biologics, CEPI, Gavi, Médecins Sans Frontières, IFRC, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, Afreximbank, the Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, and other partners.
The meeting will focus on immediate response priorities, cross-border coordination, surveillance, laboratory support, infection prevention and control, risk communication, safe and dignified burials, and resource mobilisation.
“Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they respond to this outbreak,” said H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. “Given the high population movement between affected areas and neighbouring countries, rapid regional coordination is essential. We are working with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and partners to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response, and to help contain the outbreak as quickly as possible.”
Africa CDC is preparing support across key response pillars, including coordination through emergency operations mechanisms, digital surveillance and data management, cross-border preparedness, laboratory coordination, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement. In addition, Africa CDC will work with partners to assess the availability and appropriateness of medical countermeasures once sequencing results confirm the exact ebolavirus species.
Africa CDC is urging communities in affected and at-risk areas to follow guidance from national health authorities, report symptoms promptly, avoid direct contact with suspected cases, and support response teams working to protect communities. Additional information will be provided as they become available and as sequencing results are finalised.
About Ebola Virus Disease
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal illness. It spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons, contaminated materials, or persons who have died from the disease. Early detection, prompt isolation and care, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, community engagement, and safe and dignified burials are critical to stopping transmission. WHO describes Ebola as spreading through direct contact with bodily fluids and contaminated surfaces or materials.
There are 6 known types of Ebolaviruses, with the most recent (Bombali) discovered in 2018.
- Ebola virus (species Zaire ebolavirus)
- Sudan virus (species Sudan ebolavirus)
- Taï Forest virus (species Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus)
- Bundibugyo virus (species Bundibugyo ebolavirus)
- Reston virus (species Reston ebolavirus)
- Bombali virus (species Bombali ebolavirus)
Of these, only 4 are known to infect and sicken humans (Bombali and Reston have yet to do so). These viruses are endemic in bats, can infect non-human primates and other mammalian hosts, and occasionally spill over into humans.
While most Ebola outbreaks are contained after a few dozen - or a few hundred - cases, the 2014-2016 West African outbreak spanned 3 countries, and claimed over 11,000 lives. Exported cases outside of Africa are rare, but have been reported (see here, here, and here).
All of which means we'll be keeping a close eye on this emerging regional public health emergency.
