WORLD NEWS
Bundibugyo Ebola grows to 2,473 confirmed DRC cases in ECDC update
ECDC’s 22 July 2026 update lists 2,473 confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola cases and 999 related deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The key point is that this is a severe public-health emergency centred on DRC and Uganda, while WHO and ECDC still frame the wider global risk as low.
Current Scale
ECDC says its outbreak page was updated at 16:50 on 22 July 2026 and that DRC reported 2,473 confirmed cases and 999 related deaths using data through 20 July. It also lists 737 patients hospitalised in isolation and 482 recoveries. The affected area spans 47 of 140 health zones across five DRC provinces.
Uganda And Imported Cases
Uganda had reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths as of 17 July, with the last confirmed case reported on 21 June. ECDC notes that Uganda discharged its last Ebola patient on 16 July and began the 42-day countdown toward declaring the outbreak over. Imported cases linked to DRC have also been noted in Germany, France, and a US CDC report, so cross-border monitoring remains relevant.
How To Read The Risk
WHO rates the risk as very high in DRC and high in Uganda and bordering countries, but low for the rest of Africa and globally. That does not mean the outbreak is minor; it means risk is concentrated and depends heavily on exposure, travel route, and contact history. WHO does not recommend travel or trade restrictions.
Limits To Check
There is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease, which makes response harder. ECDC also says surveillance gaps and data harmonisation continue, so daily numbers can change. Travellers or workers connected to DRC or Uganda should follow official symptom, contact, and healthcare-contact instructions from health authorities, WHO, and ECDC.
Official sources
ECDC update: latest case, death, and geographic scope
WHO Disease Outbreak News: risk levels and travel or trade advice
WHO rapid risk assessment: neighbouring-country and response-capacity assessment