Ebola Outbreak 2026: What Travellers Need to Know

The DR Congo and Uganda Ebola outbreak has grown significantly since it was first declared in May 2026. As of 4 July 2026, DRC has recorded 1,561 confirmed cases and 506 deaths, making this the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record. If you are travelling to the region, or were recently there, here is what you need to know.

What's happening

The outbreak was first declared on 15 May 2026 in Ituri Province, eastern DR Congo, and has since spread to North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases, all linked to the DRC outbreak, with cases concentrated in Kampala. A confirmed imported case was reported in France on 24 June 2026 in a medical doctor returning from DRC. The WHO has declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and describes the outbreak as still expanding, with the true scale not yet fully established given surveillance gaps in conflict-affected areas.

There is also a separate, newly confirmed Marburg virus disease case reported in Uganda's Western Region on 30 June 2026. This is unrelated to the Ebola outbreak but adds to the broader picture for the region. Monitor advisories if travelling to Uganda.

Bundibugyo is a less common Ebola strain for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists. Clinical trials for two potential treatments began on 2 July 2026, but results are not expected imminently. The rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine used in previous outbreaks is not recommended for this strain.

Risk to travellers

The risk to most travellers remains low. Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of someone who is sick or has died from the disease. It is not airborne. The people most at risk are healthcare workers and family members caring for infected individuals.

The CDC has issued a Level 3 advisory for affected provinces in eastern DRC (Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu), recommending against non-essential travel to these areas. A Level 2 advisory applies to Uganda and the rest of DRC.

US entry restrictions

Under a CDC order effective 18 May 2026, non-US citizens who have been in DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days are temporarily barred from entering the United States. US citizens and green card holders face enhanced health screening and must enter via designated airports. This is a stricter measure than standard screening and affects travel planning for anyone routing through these countries.

If you've recently been there

If you've been in DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days, monitor yourself for symptoms for 21 days after departure. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding. If symptoms develop, call ahead before attending any medical facility so they can prepare. Do not walk into a waiting room unannounced.

Check the multi-trip planner if your itinerary includes multiple countries in the region, and verify current requirements with a travel clinic before departure.