On May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. This outbreak has been confirmed as Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola virus for which there is no vaccine. Historically, Bundibugyo virus has death rates ranging from 25-50%. To learn more about this outbreak and track updates, visit CDC’s website. To date, no Ebola cases associated with this outbreak have been reported in the United States, and the risk to the general public remains low.
CDC has issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory urging the public to reconsider non-essential travel to regions affected by this outbreak. U.S. citizens and residents returning from travel to DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan are being redirected through Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD). CDC will conduct enhanced public health entry screenings for these travelers and confirm their contact information for public health follow-up.
What DC Health is Doing:
- Coordinating with federal and local partners to monitor the situation.
- Conducting symptom monitoring for District residents who are returning from affected areas for the 21-day incubation period.
- Sharing information with laboratory and healthcare partners to be ready to respond if any returning travelers under monitoring show symptoms of Ebola disease. Read DC Health’s Health Awareness Notice for healthcare providers.
- Sharing what we know with residents and visitors. Read DC Health’s Travel Advisory.
This webpage will be updated as the situation develops. Please contact DC Health at [email protected] with questions concerning this outbreak.
Ebola General Information
Ebola disease is caused by a group of four orthoebolaviruses: Ebola virus, Sudan virus, Taï Forest virus, and Bundibugyo virus. All four viruses cause similar symptoms and symptoms typically begin 2-21 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, muscle and joint pain, rash, severe headache, weakness, fatigue, and sore throat. Later symptoms can include loss of appetite, unexplained bleeding, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Depending on the type of Ebola virus, up to 90% of infected people may die.
The Ebola virus is spread between people through direct contact (broken skin or mucous membranes) with the body fluids (blood, urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, or semen) of an infected person or someone who recently died from Ebola disease. Spread can also occur through direct contact with infected animals or materials contaminated with the virus. Ebola disease is not spread through airborne transmission, and an infected person is not contagious until symptoms appear. People caring for individuals sick with Ebola, those in contact with infected animals, and those exposed to local bats in Central and West Africa are at increased risk for contracting Ebola.
Find more information about Ebola on our fact sheet and at the resources below.
Additional Resources
- DC Health Ebola Fact Sheet | DC Health
- DC Health Health Awareness Notice: Ebola Outbreak Caused by Bundibugyo Virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda | DC Health
- Ebola Disease Basics | CDC
- CDC Health Alert Network: Ebola Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda | CDC
- Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Travel Notice | CDC
Information for Healthcare Professionals
- Clinical Guidance for Ebola Disease | CDC
- Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients in U.S. Hospitals who are Suspected or Confirmed to have Selected Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHF) | CDC
- Public Health Management of People with Suspected or Confirmed VHF or High-Risk Exposures | CDC
- Recommendations for Organizations Sending U.S.-based Personnel to Areas with VHF Outbreaks | CDC