The 2026 Ebola Outbreak: What YOU Need to Know

By Isabel Gleave (Y12)

It is to be expected that global headlines are dominated by articles covering geopolitical tensions and major political events. What is not anticipated is the announcement that a contagious disease is on the rise in central Africa, which was also declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

An infectious strain of Ebola has been spreading for several weeks unchecked through the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Experts (including Dr. Bill Kanyenche, a doctor who works mostly with Congolese non-profit GRACE) have stated that the disease’s outbreak should have been declared far earlier. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has previously experienced devastating Ebola outbreaks, one of which, occurring from 2018 to 2020, is the second deadliest Ebola outbreak on record.

Thus, it seems strange that a country previously affected so severely by Ebola would be so slow to officially recognise the surge of cases. However, this can be accounted for as a result of the major diagnostic challenges posed. Such as the fact that this variation of Ebola (Bundibugyo) could not be identified in common testing (which only flags the Zaire ebolavirus), therefore identifying this strain’s outbreak was more difficult than other strains. Furthermore, the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is marked by its geographical isolation (due to its large tropical rainforest), and political instability has led to increased difficulty in receiving proper identification of the strain, causing an extended period when the outbreak was not identified.

One issue facing the management of this strain is that it possesses no approved vaccination, unlike the Zaire Ebola. This means that containing and eradicating this strain will prove far more difficult than certain previous outbreaks. This, coupled with the fact that the strain has already spread across borders to Uganda and to the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is why the WHO declared it a PHEIC.

As of 19^th May, 2026, the death count stands at 131 with around 336 suspected cases. It is worth noting that this Ebola virus’ threat to countries outside of East Africa is minimal, so despite the WHO’s declaration, this should not be compared to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Questions Going Forward

Why was the Bundubugyo strain not identified in early testing?

What is the difference between ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ symptoms of the Ebola virus, and is the Bundubugyo strain unique in any of its signs?

Current Ebola vaccines and treatments centre around the more common Zaire strain, how are healthcare providers and doctors adapting treatment to help those infected with the Bundubugyo strain?

How is ebola spread (is it highly contagious)?

Will this outbreak remain confined to East Africa or is there a risk that it could spread globally?