The deadliest active infectious disease outbreak in the world has rapidly escalated over the past three weeks. The 2026 Bundibugyo virus Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda — declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization on May 16 — reached 598 confirmed cases including 115 deaths and 297 people hospitalized in isolation as of June 8, 2026, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, which is tracking the outbreak in real time. The case count has grown faster than any previous Bundibugyo outbreak on record.
On June 10, 2026 — just yesterday — the U.S. Department of State announced $20 million in additional emergency funding, bringing total direct U.S. funding for the Ebola response to more than $220 million. The announcement comes as WHO noted that contact tracing is running at only 45 percent — well below the 90 percent threshold needed to stay ahead of an outbreak — and that the response faces a $115 million funding gap.
A Virus the U.S. Has Screened for Since May
Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) — one of four known orthoebolavirus species capable of causing disease in humans — was first identified in Uganda in 2007. In previous outbreaks, its case fatality rate ranged from 30 to 50 percent. The current outbreak's CFR of approximately 19 percent is lower than prior Bundibugyo events, which WHO attributes to improved clinical care protocols and early treatment in some cases.
The CDC and DHS implemented enhanced traveler screening and entry restrictions for travelers from DRC and Uganda on May 18, 2026, routing them through four designated U.S. airports — Dulles, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson, Houston George Bush Intercontinental, and JFK — for Ebola screening and health monitoring. The U.S. has recorded no confirmed Ebola cases related to this outbreak.
One American was affected: Peter Stafford, a U.S. missionary physician working at Nyankunde Hospital in eastern DRC, tested positive for Bundibugyo virus on May 17 and was medically evacuated to Berlin's Charité hospital — the first known Ebola medical evacuation to Europe in this outbreak — where he subsequently recovered.
Geographic Spread and Response Challenges
The current outbreak epicenter is Mongbwalu Health Zone in Ituri Province, a high-traffic mining region in northeastern DRC. The virus has spread to 17 health zones in Ituri, seven health zones in North Kivu, and one zone in South Kivu, according to the ECDC's June 10 update. Population movement associated with artisanal mining operations, regional insecurity from the ongoing M23 conflict in North Kivu, and limited healthcare infrastructure in affected zones are all complicating containment efforts.
In Uganda, 19 confirmed cases and 2 deaths have been reported, all linked to travelers arriving from DRC or their secondary contacts. Uganda has activated border screening at all crossings with DRC and has deployed treatment units. On June 5, WHO and Africa CDC jointly launched a continental preparedness plan with a $518 million funding ask to support response activities across DRC, Uganda, and neighboring countries including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan — all of which face meaningful importation risk.
Risk to U.S. Travelers and the General Public
The CDC's current assessment of the risk to the U.S. general public remains low. Ebola viruses do not spread through the air or through casual contact — transmission requires direct contact with the bodily fluids of a person who is sick or has died from the disease. The enhanced airport screening system has successfully monitored returning travelers.
However, the CDC specifically urges U.S. travelers to avoid non-essential travel to affected areas of DRC and Uganda. Anyone returning from DRC or Uganda who develops fever, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding within 21 days of travel should immediately contact their healthcare provider and inform them of the travel history before arriving at a clinic or emergency room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many confirmed Ebola cases are there in the current outbreak?
A: As of June 8, 2026, 598 confirmed cases including 115 deaths and 297 people hospitalized in isolation have been reported in DRC, plus 19 confirmed cases and 2 deaths in Uganda.
Q: Is there a U.S. Ebola risk?
A: The CDC assesses the risk to the U.S. general public as low. No U.S.-based cases have been confirmed. Enhanced airport screening has been active since May 18 for travelers from DRC and Uganda.
Q: How does Bundibugyo virus spread?
A: Like other Ebola viruses, Bundibugyo spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person — blood, urine, vomit, diarrhea, or saliva. It does not spread through the air or casual contact.
Q: What should travelers returning from DRC or Uganda watch for?
A: Fever, body aches, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding within 21 days of travel. Contact a healthcare provider by phone before arriving in person and disclose your travel history.
Q: How much is the U.S. spending on this Ebola response?
A: The State Department announced a total of more than $220 million in direct U.S. Ebola response funding as of June 10, 2026, plus $350 million in broader humanitarian assistance to the region.
