On 17 May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that the Ebola virus disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). This means that the outbreak poses a serious, unusual, cross-border risk that requires coordinated international action.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses the infection risk for people living in the EU/EEA to be very low. This is due to transmission of the virus requiring direct contact with a symptomatic patient’s body fluids and the low likelihood of importation and secondary transmission in Europe.
Specifics of the Bundibugyo virus
This Ebola Bundibugyo virus outbreak is more challenging to control than the more commonly detected Zaire ebolavirus.
The Bundibugyo virus is part of the Orthoebolaviruses species that is pathogenic to humans. Those viruses are highly transmissible through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or any surfaces and materials soiled by infectious fluids.
There are currently no licensed vaccines or specific treatments available for Bundibugyo virus disease.
EU response
The EU and its Member States (“Team Europe”) are providing support across all the different pillars necessary for response, contributing to the implementation of the Continental Preparedness and Response Plan.
Action is divided along three priority strands:
- supporting the outbreak response in Africa
- ensuring rapid internal coordination and raising EU/EEA preparedness levels to respond to a potential cross-border health threat in our jurisdictions
- increasing research efforts to develop vaccines and treatments
The European Commission is in close contact with international partners, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the WHO, and is working closely with EU Member States through the Health Security Committee (HSC) to keep them informed about the latest developments and to coordinate approaches on prevention and preparedness.
- Factsheet on the EU response to the Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak (last updated: 5 June 2026)
On 19 May, the Health Security Committee, which coordinates the EU's rapid response to serious cross-border threats to health, met for the first time on Ebola to discuss the latest developments, and regular meetings have taken place since.
The HSC has issued an opinion on a common EU approach for the outbreak on 22 May, including guidance on precautionary measures as well as recommendations on exit screening..
The European Union Reference Laboratory for Public Health on Emerging, Rodent-borne and Zoonotic Viral Pathogens (EURL-PH-ERZV) is providing recommendations on the diagnosis of Bundibugyo virus disease and biosafety considerations, as well as information on diagnostic supports, testing protocols and advice related to bio risk management.
Longstanding support
Throughout the years, the EU has significantly contributed to the international Ebola response through a range of measures, ranging from prevention measures to research funding. Since the first registered outbreak in 1976, the DRC has registered 17 outbreaks. The resurgence of outbreaks has accelerated, with nine out of 16 reported during the last 16 years.
These outbreaks have marked the EU’s perception and understanding of global health security, supporting actions to ensure the EU can respond rapidly, flexibly and effectively to emergencies and disease outbreaks in the future.
The Global Health Resilience Initiative, adopted in May 2026, sets out the strategic framework for future EU action so that Europe can respond quicker to health threats and crises in an interconnected world, based on a strong multilateral system and on cooperation with partners.
