Ebola outbreak with uncommon strain erupts in Congo and Uganda; 65 deaths

An Ebola outbreak confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo's remote Ituri province in May 2026 resulted in 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, primarily in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Unlike most previous DRC outbreaks involving the Zaire strain, this outbreak was confirmed as the Bundibugyo strain, for which there are no approved vaccines currently available. Uganda also reported a confirmed case when a Congolese man died in Kampala from the Bundibugyo strain.

Source: Ars Technica | 2026-05-15