Ebola disease
Ebola is an infectious disease caused by a virus (filovirus). It was first recognised in 1976 when two outbreaks were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, near the Ebola River, and in South Sudan.
Since then, sporadic outbreaks have been reported Central and West Africa. Major epidemics, with large case numbers requiring an international humanitarian effort have occurred in West Africa (2014-2016) and in the Democratic Republic of Congo (2018 – 2019).
Ebola virus is rare and UK Health Security Agency advises risk of Ebola infection is a negligible to very low risk to the United Kingdom (UK).
Ebola virus is spread by close, direct physical contact with infected body fluids: blood, faeces, saliva, semen, urine and vomit. Infected people can only spread the virus to other people when they have symptoms.
Infection causes a serious, often fatal haemorrhagic (bleeding) illness called Ebola disease (EBOD). Symptoms usually begin suddenly and include fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, sore throat and weakness. Internal and external bleeding; blood in faeces, extensive bruising, bleeding gums, liver and kidney failure can also occur.
There is currently no licensed treatment, care is supportive and recovery depends on early care and treatment of symptoms. A number of vaccines and treatments are being developed.
Check our Country Information pages for destination specific news and outbreaks.
Prevention
UK travellers planning to visit areas with EBOD outbreaks or reporting isolated cases should consider their trip plans carefully, in consultation with a travel health specialist.
All travellers to Ebola risk areas should:
- Avoid anyone with symptoms.
- Avoid contact with blood and body fluids and any items that may have been contaminated with blood and body fluids, like clothes, bedding or medical equipment.
- Avoid contact with animals, especially bats and non-human primates (monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees).
- Follow safer sex advice - always use condoms.
- Do not eat, cook or prepare any type of raw or wild meat (bushmeat) or any meat from unknown sources.
- Always wash and peel fruit and vegetables carefully.
- Follow good food, water and personal hygiene advice, including careful, regular hand washing with soap and water (or alcohol gel if soap is unavailable).
- If attending a funeral, mourners should avoid all contact with the deceased, their body fluids and their personal property.
Some traditional burial rituals may play a part in the spread of Ebola. The World Health Organization has guidance on safe and dignified burials to help prevent Ebola transmission in these circumstances.
Aid workers and health professionals planning to undertake humanitarian work in areas where outbreaks or isolated EBOD cases are reported should seek risk assessment advice and training form their employer/organisation prior to travel. They should also be familiar with UK Health Security Agency specific guidance: Information for Ebola response workers and the Ebola and Marburg: returning workers scheme.
Travel to an Ebola affected area may restrict travel health insurance options. Travellers should discuss their plans with their travel insurance provider before they go.
UK travellers experiencing symptoms aboard should seek local medical advice as soon as possible.
Travellers who become unwell after returning to the UK should ring their GP for advice or call NHS 111. It is important returning travellers provide details of any recent travel to their health professional so appropriate measures and testing can be carried out. It's extremely unlikely that Ebola will be the cause of fever or other symptoms, but other serious conditions such as malaria or typhoid may be a risk.
More detailed information on Ebola disease: clinical management and guidance is available on the UK Health Security Agency website.
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Recent News on Ebola disease
Ebola disease
The outbreak remains a public health emergency of international concern
Updated: 16 October 2026Recent Ebola disease Outbreaks
Ebola disease in Kenya
As of 15 October 2026, a second Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) case has been confirmed in Kenya, in a contact of the first case imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This second case remains in quarantine and is receiving treatment. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
On 6 October 2026, the first confirmed case of Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) was reported in Kenya, imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Contact tracing is in process. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateEbola disease in DRC
As of 10 October 2026, a total of 8,978 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases and 4,336 deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in seven provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele and South Ubangi. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
As of 4 October 2026, 8,603 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases and 4,148 deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in seven provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele and South Ubangi. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 21 September 2026, 7,773 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases and 3,759 deaths have been reported in seven provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele and South Ubangi. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 6 September 2026, a total of 7,200 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases and 3,475 confirmed deaths have now been reported across seven provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele and South Ubangi. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 6 September 2026, a total of 6,686 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases and 3,226 confirmed deaths have now been reported across six provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele and Bas-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 30 August 2026, a total of 6,100 confirmed cases and 2,950 deatha of Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) have been reported in six provinces in Democratic Republic of the Congo; Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele and Bas-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 22 August 2026, a total of 5,514 confirmed cases and 2,642 deatha of Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) have been reported in six provinces in Democratic Republic of the Congo; Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele and Bas-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 19 August 2026, a total of 5,290 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases, and 2,516 deaths, have now been reported across six provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele and Bas-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 14 August 2026, a total of 4,665 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases, and 2,184 deaths, have now been reported across six provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele and Bas-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 8 August 2026, a total of 4,294 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases, and 1,960 deaths, have now been reported across five provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Haut-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 2 August 2026, a total of 3,802 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases, and 1,707 confirmed deaths, have now been reported across five provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Haut-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 28 July 2026, 3,442 confirmed Ebola cases and 1,521 deaths have been reported in five provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Haut-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article on Ebola for further details.
Source: StateAs of 26 July 2026, a total of 3,262 confirmed Ebola cases and 1,437 deaths have been reported in five provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Haut-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 21 July 2026, a total of 2536 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases, and 1033 confirmed deaths, have now been reported in five provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Haut-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: Democratic Republic of the Congo Ministry of HealthAs of 19 July 2026, a total of 2,423 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases and 967 confirmed deaths, have now been reported in five provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Haut-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 14 July 2026, a total of 2,073 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases and 796 confirmed deaths, have now been reported in five provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Haut-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 12 July 2026, a total of 1,963 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases and 719 confirmed deaths, have now been reported in five provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Haut-Uele. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 7 July 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ministry of Health (MoH) reported 1,759 confirmed Ebola disease cases (600 deaths) caused by Bundibugyo virus, in the ongoing outbreak. Ituri, North-Kivu and South-Kivu provinces have been affected. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 4 July 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ministry of Health (MoH) reported 1,561 confirmed Ebola disease cases (506 deaths) caused by Bundibugyo virus, in the ongoing outbreak. Ituri, North-Kivu and South-Kivu provinces have been affected. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 1 July 2026, 1,460 confirmed cases of Ebola disease with 447 deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 29 June 2026, 1,333 confirmed cases and 399 deaths caused by Bundibugyo virus have been reported in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Confirmed cases have been reported in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 27 June 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ministry of Health (MoH) reports 1,274 confirmed cases (360 deaths) caused by Bundibugyo virus, in the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak. Ituri, North-Kivu and South-Kivu provinces have been affected. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 24 June 2026, 1,155 confirmed cases and 304 deaths have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 22 June 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ministry of Health (MoH) reports 1,094 confirmed cases (277 deaths) caused by Bundibugyo virus, in the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak. Ituri, North-Kivu and South-Kivu provinces have been affected. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 20 June 2026, 1,003 confirned cases of Ebola disease with 254 deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 17 June 2026, a total of 896 confirmed Ebola disease cases, with 232 confirmed deaths, have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 2026. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 15 June 2026, 837 confirmed cases of Ebola disease, with 196 deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 13 June 2026, a total of 782 confirmed Ebola disease cases, with 181 deaths, have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 2026. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 10 June 2026, 676 confirmed cases of Ebola disease and 136 deaths have been reported in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Confirmed cases have been reported in Ituri (629 cases), North Kivu (44 cases), and South Kivu (three cases). Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 8 June 2026, 598 confirmed cases of Ebola disease and 115 deaths have been reported in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 7 June 2026, 544 confirmed cases of Ebola disease and 88 confirmed deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The confirmed cases include 29 healthcare workers, five of whom died. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: Africa CDCAs of 3 June 2026, 381 confirmed cases of Ebola disease and 64 deaths have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 1 June 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ministry of Health (MoH) reports 344 confirmed Bundibugyo virus cases, with 60 confirmed deaths, and 116 suspected cases, as part of the ongoing Ebola outbreak. The number of suspected cases has been revised following the removal of confirmed and negative cases. According to the MoH, 23 new confirmed cases were reported on 1 June 2026. The provinces of Ituri, North-Kivu and South-Kivu have been affected. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 1 June 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ministry of Health reported a total of 321 confirmed Ebola disease cases and 48 confirmed deaths, with 220 suspected cases, as part of the ongoing Ebola outbreak. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 27 May 2026, 125 confirmed and 906 suspected cases of Ebola disease, with 17 confirmed and 223 suspected deaths have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 24 May 2026, a total of 101 confirmed and over 900 suspected Ebola disease cases, with ten confirmed and 220 suspected deaths, have now been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOAs of 22 May 2026, a total of 82 confirmed and 750 suspected Ebola disease cases, with seven confirmed and 177 suspected deaths, have now been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOOn 20 May 2026, the World Health Organization reported 51 confirmed cases, 600 suspected (139 suspected deaths) of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus. Deaths have been reported in healthcare workers, indicating healthcare associated transmission. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOAs of 19 May 2026, there are now 30 confirmed cases, more than 500 suspected cases, and 130 suspected deaths in the DRC, from the northeastern province of Ituri. An American national has also been confirmed positive and been transferred to Germany, as reported by the U.S. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOThe Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), has declared that the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). As of 16 May 2026, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths have been reported in Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo across at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOAs of 15 May 2026, a total of 13 confirmed cases of Ebola disease and four deaths have been reported in DRC. Cases have primarily been reported in the Mongbwalu and Rwampara health zones, with additional suspected cases identified in Bunia. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: Africa CDCEbola disease in DRC
As of 26 September 2026, 8,067 confirmed Ebola disease (Bundibugyo virus) cases and 3,901 deaths have been reported in seven provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele and South Ubangi. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo today declared the end of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Kasai Province, after no new cases were reported in the past 42 days since the last patient was discharged from treatment centre on 19 October 2025. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOAs of 5 October 2025, a total of 64 cases of Ebola virus disease (53 confirmed and 11 probable cases), including 43 deaths (32 confirmed and 11 probable) have been reported from Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOAs of 28 September 2025, a total of 64 cases of Ebola virus disease (53 confirmed and 11 probable cases), including 42 deaths (31 confirmed and 11 probable) have been reported from Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOAs of 21 September 2025, a total of 57 cases of Ebola virus disease (47 confirmed and 10 probable cases), including 35 deaths (25 confirmed and 10 probable) been reported from Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province. The outbreak remains geographically contained to this area and shows a decreasing trend of cases over the last week. Health authorities continue to be on high alert. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOAs of 14 September 2025, a total of 54 Ebola virus disease cases (35 confirmed) and 27 deaths have now been reported from Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province. A number of healthcare workers are amongst the deaths. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOAs of 6 September 2025, a total of 37 Ebola virus disease cases (five confirmed) and 15 deaths have now been reported from Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateOn 4 September 2025, health authorities in Democratic Republic of Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola disease in Kasai province with 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths. Samples tested confirmed the cause of the outbreak as Ebola Zaire caused by Ebola virus disease. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOEbola disease in Uganda
On 28 July 2026, the Ministry of Health of Uganda declared the end of the Ebola disease outbreak in Uganda, after 42 days without a new confirmed locally transmitted case. The last confirmed case was discharged on 16 June 2026. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
As of 21 June 2026, 20 confirmed cases of Ebola disease including two deaths have been reported in Uganda. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 14 June 2026, 19 confirmed cases of Ebola disease and one probable case, including two confirmed and one probable death, have been reported in Uganda. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOAs of 6 June 2026, 19 confirmed cases of Ebola disease and two deaths have been reported in Uganda. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOAs of 4 June 2026, 16 confirmed cases of Ebola disease (one of which was fatal) have been reported in Uganda. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateAs of 2 June 2026, a total of 15 confirmed Ebola disease cases, with one confirmed death, have been reported in Uganda. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateOn 29 May 2026, two new cases of Ebola disease have been confirmed in Uganda. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to nine, including one death. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: StateOn 25 May 2026, two additional confirmed cases of Ebola disease among healthcare workers were reported in Uganda. This brings the total number of reported cases in Uganda to seven, including one confirmed death. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOOn 23 May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported three additional cases of Ebola disease (EBOD) caused by the Bundibugyo virus. This brings the total number reported in Uganda to five, with a health worker amongst those affected. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHOThe Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), has declared that the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Two laboratory confirmed cases (including one death) with no apparent link to each other have been reported in Kampala, Uganda, within 24 hours of each other, on 15 and 16 May 2026, among two individuals travelling from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Ebola disease.
Source: WHO
