Ebola outbreak 2026

Viral haemorrhagic fever

30 known viruses

All RNA viruses

All zoonoses

All damage the microvasculature

Current outbreak, 30 - 50% infection mortality rate

Can kill anyone, including young healthy adults

? Less children infected

Where

https://africacdc.org/news-item/africa-cdc-calls-for-urgent-regional-coordination-meeting-following-ebola-virus-disease-outbreak-in-ituri-province-drc/

Spreading in densely populated urban areas

Central Africa, mostly Democratic Republic of Congo and now into Uganda.

Land border transmission risk, Travelers from DRC

Insecurity and humanitarian challenges, healthcare facilities attacked

Lack of healthcare, lack of tests

Hundreds of suspected cases, (500+)

About 120 suspected deaths

Many more potentially

Could run for months or years.

When

First identified 1976

2014 to 2016, 28,610 cases, 11,308 deaths

17th outbreak in DRC

17th May 2026 (WHO)

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/who-declares-ebola-outbreak-democratic-republic-congo-public-health-emergency?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

First case probably 24 April.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/19/how-world-failed-to-stop-deadliest-ebola-strain/

What

Not the classic Zaire strain of Ebola

Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain

Previously relatively rare

No licensed vaccines

No proven targeted antiviral treatments

How

Zoonotic spillover (only endemic in Africa)

Direct contact with the bodily fluids, contaminated materials/surfaces, dead bodies

Funerals, super-spreader events.

Lack of PPE HAIs

Virus found in tissues, body fluids, in salvia (100% of cases), on the skin

Prevention

Stop bush meat

Early detection, prompt isolation and care, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, community engagement, safe burials.

Incubation period

https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/216288-overview?_gl=1*i6h1oa*_gcl_au*MTEzODcyNjM2MS4xNzcyMDM2Mjg2LjE1MzE2ODQyMzAuMTc3OTA5MDg3Mi4xNzc5MDkwODg3

3 to 8 days, longer in secondary cases (up to 3 weeks)

Onset of clinical symptoms is sudden

First

Severe headache (50-74%)

Arthralgias or myalgias (50-79%)

Fever with or without chills (95%)

Anorexia (45%)

Asthenia, (profound lack of strength / energy (85-95%)

Then

Gastrointestinal symptoms and abdominal pain (65%)

GI bleeds

Nausea and vomiting (68-73%)

Diarrhea (85%)

Mucous membrane involvement, conjunctivitis (45%)

Swallowing difficulties (57%)

Bleeding from mucous membranes and puncture sites (40-50%)

Rash, (15%)

Eventually

Tachypnoea, hypotension, shock, anuria, and coma

Survivors

Earlier antibody production,

Stronger T-cell responses

Lower viral loads than fatal cases.

Some fatal cases show measurable antibodies before death, while others show very weak or absent antibody responses.

Recovery often requires months

Management

Supportive

Nutrition

Hydration IVIs, electrolytes

Haemodynamic support

Oxygen support

Treatment of secondary infections.

Risk to Europe and the

ECDC / CDC continues to monitor this outbreak

Imported cases remain possible

Surveillance is important

Rapid identification and isolation essential

Delayed detection is a risk