Discussion - Ebola outbreaks 2026 (DRC & Uganda)

[Pathfinder]

Follow-up on post #36:

June 3, 2026

Statement on Ebola Response Efforts and Cooperation with Kenya


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement on Ebola Response Efforts and Cooperation with Kenya

Nairobi, June 2, 2026 – We are aware of the court action filed in Kenya and are actively working with the Kenyan government to resolve any objections and communicate our shared objectives to the Kenyan people.  The United States and Kenya share a historic health partnership that over decades has benefitted both Americans and Kenyans. Our joint response to the current Ebola outbreak is a natural extension of our longstanding cooperation.  

As the health security situation evolves, we are working in tandem with Kenya and international partners to enhance protocols for detection and spread of this deadly disease.  The bio-isolation facility in Laikipia is part of a holistic response to prevent spread of the disease and lessen health risks for the region as a whole; it does not pose risk to nearby communities.  Beyond Laikipia, we are working with Kenya to enhance border detection, provide accurate testing, and bolster the response in high-risk counties.  Expanding regional capacity to isolate and test asymptomatic individuals, including Americans working on the response effort, will enhance Kenya’s readiness and preserve Kenya’s existing clinical resources to assist Kenyan citizens. 

The United States is proud to be the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response effort. The Department of State’s direct assistance commitment to combat the outbreak has exceeded $162 million and is growing, enabling implementing organizations to expand the ongoing response in Africa.  U.S. funding is providing critical activities to stop the outbreak at its source and prevent Ebola from reaching Kenya or the United States.  The Department has also provided $350 million through OCHA pooled funds to the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan for broader humanitarian efforts in the affected region, as part of our $1.8 billion in additional funding to OCHA announced on May 14.

###

NOTE TO EDITORS:

For media contact enquiries, please contact:

U.S. Embassy Kenya

Email: hagengruberj@state.gov

Phone: +25

https://ke.usembassy.gov/statement-on-ebola-response-efforts-and-cooperation-with-kenya/

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Four rescuers injured in clashes during the burial of an Ebola victim in Bunia

Published on Tue, 02/06/2026 - 14:28 | Modified on Tue, 02/06/2026 - 14:41

Four Red Cross workers involved in the Ebola response were seriously injured on Monday, June 1st, at the Nyamurongo cemetery in Bunia (Ituri), during clashes that erupted during the burial of a person who had died from the disease. The incidents broke out when angry youths attempted to forcibly open the deceased's coffin. Socio-political and religious leaders strongly condemned these acts, which hinder the health response efforts.

The events took place around 3 p.m. at the Nyamurongo cemetery, located in the Simbilyabo district. Hundreds of people had gathered to attend the burial of a man who had died from the Ebola virus.

Before the burial, some of the deceased's colleagues and young people from the community demanded that the coffin be opened. They wanted to confirm that their loved one's body was indeed present. When the Red Cross first responders, tasked with conducting a safe burial, refused, the situation quickly escalated into physical violence.

As part of efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola virus disease, health authorities have prohibited any public display of the body and any direct contact with those who have died from the disease. Red Cross workers were present at the burial to ensure compliance with this protocol.

While attempting to explain these preventative measures to the crowd attending the funeral, the volunteers were violently attacked by a mob that refused to listen to their explanations. Four of them were seriously injured during the clashes.

According to several witnesses, some people eventually managed to open the coffin, exposing the body of the deceased and increasing the risk of the virus spreading within the community.

The impact of a viral video on social media

False information sparked the clashes. A video that went viral on social media claimed that the coffin being transported by medical teams was empty.

Several socio-political figures and provincial representatives describe this incident as extremely dangerous for public health. They reiterate that it is unacceptable to attack officers who risk their lives to protect the community.

“ Let’s respect the medical profession, since even within the medical profession there are victims. Ebola attacks everyone, ” insists Jean-Pierre Bikilisende, notable and provincial deputy of Ituri.

Given the seriousness of the situation, opinion leaders are calling on the local population to take immediate action. Furthermore, multiple sources indicate that a person who touched the deceased's body is currently in quarantine to prevent any risk of contamination.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2026/06/02/actualite/societe/quatre-secouristes-blesses-lors-dechauffourees-pendant-lenterrement

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In #Ituri, the response to Ebola is currently investigating an incident that reportedly caused the injury (death?) of a Red Cross agent when a safe and dignified burial team was partially attacked by a crowd during the interment of a body that had died from Ebola at the #Namurongo cemetery in #Bunia.

Fueled by a rumor claiming the coffin was empty, family members of the deceased and members of his church resisted the burial without opening the coffin. Faced with the prohibition of this dangerous act, these residents attacked the response team, injuring its members. They then opened the coffin and handled the body, which was indeed present inside.

Information announcing the death of one of the Red Cross agents during the incident circulated.

The response, which only mentioned an incident in its latest report on June 1, says it has launched investigations to truly understand what happened.

"For now, we don't know how to communicate on this highly sensitive topic without having completed the investigation and gathered all the necessary elements," a source involved in this investigation told me.

2:10 AM · Jun 3, 2026

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

DRC: Ebola response hampered by families refusing hospitalization and safe burials

The response to the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak is accelerating in eastern DRC. Equipment for on-site testing of suspected cases has arrived in Ituri province, particularly in Mongwalu, the town where the first cases were identified. This will allow for faster testing, increased surveillance, and contact tracing, explains the World Health Organization. The WHO chief, who visited the country a few days ago, said he was " very encouraged by the level of commitment " he witnessed. He pointed to the late detection of the first cases, insecurity in the affected areas, and mistrust among some of the population as obstacles to the response.

Published on:05/06/2026 - 04:38
By : RFI

“ Don’t hide your sick ,” repeat the various actors involved in the Ebola epidemic response. In Mongwalu, in eastern DRC , “ when deaths began to multiply ,” explains Jonathan Imbalapay, president of the civil society, “ some believed it was a mystical illness .”

“ There is indeed a misunderstanding of the disease ,” agrees Marthe Dheve, a community health worker who is concerned about the number of patients who remain at home and are treated there. “ People don’t understand and are afraid to go to the hospital because, after many deaths in families, everyone thought that if they went there, they would be told they had the disease. When they are sick, they prefer to self-medicate. That’s how you see the number of deaths increasing because they always arrive at the hospital too late .”

Awareness messages in local languages are being disseminated within communities to ensure that those infected are taken to the hospital as soon as possible, explains Patrick Muyaya, the Congolese Minister of Information. He adds that it is essential to change the perception and understanding of this epidemic. “ When you know someone who is sick, don’t hide it. Call the hospitals, and we have a toll-free number, 151, which allows anyone with a case to report it. Without greater community involvement, we will struggle to fully combat this .”

An alert system has also been put in place, adds Marthe Dheve, with telephone numbers to alert in case of death and to prevent any new contamination.

The danger of contamination persists after death.

In the DRC, burying someone who has died from Ebola has become one of the most dangerous acts in the response to the epidemic . Teams responsible for safe burials are regularly attacked. And when they flee, the body remains.

Four incidents have been reported in just a few days in four different areas. The first, and most concerning, occurred last Tuesday in Katana, South Kivu. The team was there, everything was ready. Suddenly, a group of young men appeared and physically assaulted the team members.

A power struggle ensued, and the coffin was abandoned at the scene. Members of the community then took possession of the body and handled it without protective equipment. Since then, response teams have feared new outbreaks of infection in Katana.

The same day, at the cemetery in Bunia , another attack occurred. Here, the toll was heavy: five members of the team were injured. This was not an isolated incident in the city. Two days earlier, two new cases had been recorded. At the Bunia University Clinics, a crowd blocked the burial team. The workers were accused of causing the deceased's death.

As a result, safe burials are not taking place. The same scenario is playing out in the Logo health zone in Ituri. Faced with this resistance, the response teams are stepping up their communication efforts—on the radio, in churches, and in markets. But mistrust remains strong. And behind every body handled without protection, there is a risk of a new chain of transmission.

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20260605-rdc-la-riposte-%C3%A0-l-%C3%A9pid%C3%A9mie-d-ebola-frein%C3%A9e-par-les-familles-refusant-l-h%C3%B4pital-et-les-enterrements-s%C3%A9curis%C3%A9s

[sharon sanders]

This site is not on EDT time. We are on ET so the time stamp for this post is 2:01 ET.


FluTrackers.com
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3pm EDT - US CDC Live Update on #Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda https://youtube.com/live/twgKMPS4U6M

[sharon sanders]

Modeled Scenario Projections for the Ebola Disease Outbreak Caused by Bundibugyo Virus, 2026


Early Release / June 5, 2026 / 75

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Eric Q. Mooring, ScD^1,2; William T. Koval, PhD¹; Isobel Routledge, PhD³; Inga Holmdahl, PhD⁴; Guido España, PhD¹; Rebecca Kahn, PhD⁴; Beau B. Bruce, MD, PhD¹ (View author affiliations)
View suggested citation


Summary


What is already known about this topic?

An outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a type of Ebola disease, is currently ongoing, centered in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

What is added by this report?

CDC used a transmission model to project outbreak growth over 3 months, by using different assumptions about the number of deaths as of May 24, 2026, and by varying the percentages of persons with BVD who are successfully identified and isolated to prevent ongoing transmission. Assuming 50 cumulative deaths as of May 24, 2026, if 70% of patients were to enter isolation, only approximately one in 20 simulations projected an outbreak exceeding 10,000 cases within 3 months.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Large-scale, rapid public health action is needed to control the current outbreak, already the largest known BVD outbreak, from becoming one of the largest Ebola epidemics in history.


Abstract


On May 15, 2026, the Ministries of Health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda declared outbreaks of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a type of Ebola disease. In response to reports of high numbers of suspected cases and deaths in these outbreaks, CDC simulated scenario projections to understand possible future morbidity and mortality. A branching process model with the capacity to model transmission-reducing nonpharmaceutical interventions was calibrated to three putative cumulative death counts and projected for four possible intervention scenarios ranging from poor (20%) to extremely high (95%) levels of isolation and treatment of symptomatic persons. The analysis suggested a plausible spillover event (i.e., the transmission of a virus from its natural animal reservoir to humans) in mid to late February 2026. With poor isolation levels of patients with BVD (20%) and no other interventions, the likelihood of an outbreak that exceeds 20,000 cases within 3 months is 65%. If, however a high proportion of patients were to enter isolation (70%), only a one in 20 chance is projected for an outbreak with ≥10,000 cases within 3 months. These results underscore the importance of strong public health interventions, because the current outbreak is already the largest known BVD outbreak and has the potential to quickly become one of the largest Ebola disease outbreaks ever recorded.

Top Introduction


In May 2026, outbreaks of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) caused by species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense, a species of orthoebolavirus for which no approved vaccine or medication is currently available, were reported in the Ituri province in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda (1). As of June 2, 2026, a total of 378 confirmed cases (363 in DRC and 15 in Uganda) and 63 confirmed deaths (62 in DRC and one in Uganda) have been recorded (2). BVD causes a severe hemorrhagic fever. Bundibugyo virus is spread through direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is infected or has died from BVD. CDC modeled possible trajectories of the outbreak over 3 months. The models considered different assumptions about the cumulative number of deaths as of May 24, 2026, and different scenarios of public health intervention intensity, defined by the percentages of persons with BVD who are successfully isolated and therefore prevented from causing onward transmission.

Top Methods

Model Structure


CDC used a model to simulate BVD outbreaks. The model was adapted from one applied to previous viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, including a Marburg virus disease outbreak in Ethiopia in 2025. In this model, each simulated outbreak was initialized with one infected person, who represented the person first infected from a zoonotic source (a spillover event). This person infected a randomly generated number of additional persons based on assumptions about the basic reproductive number ([R₀], the average number of persons in a susceptible population infected by an infected person). Any infected persons were added to the simulation at times selected according to the distribution of intervals from one infection to the next and, in turn, were able to cause further infections. This simulation, called a branching process, continued until either 1) none of the infected persons in a generation caused any secondary infections, indicating termination of the outbreak or 2) the simulation reached 5,000 deaths, indicating a very large and exponentially growing outbreak. Time Intervals


Intervals from infection to symptom onset, symptom onset to death, and symptom onset to recovery were held constant for all infections within each simulated outbreak but varied among simulated outbreaks. Simulated persons were never infectious before symptom onset or after recovery but could be infectious after death.

Assumptions about parameters were based on published estimates from previous Ebola outbreaks (Supplementary Box). Estimates specific to BVD were used when available. Model Calibration to Assumed Number of Deaths


Assumptions for the cumulative number of BVD deaths as of May 24, 2026, were based on publicly available situation reports from DRC.* The model was calibrated to three different numbers of cumulative deaths (50, 100, and 200) to account for uncertainty in the current number of deaths caused by BVD.

A simulated outbreak was compatible with the real-world outbreak if it reached the assumed number of cumulative deaths by May 24, 2026, and if the first death occurred on or before April 24, 2026. Outbreaks were simulated until 500 simulations met these criteria. The accepted 500 simulated outbreaks were used to infer when the outbreak began and served as the basis for scenario projections of interventions for each model calibration. Scenario Projections for Isolation


Four intervention scenarios were assessed for each calibration, each implementing a different level of isolation (i.e., percentage of symptomatic infected persons detected, isolated, and treated: 20% [poor], 50% [moderate], 70% [high], and 95% [extremely high]). The extremely high scenario was chosen to estimate a lower bound for transmission.

The intervention was assumed to start on May 24, 2026. On that day in each simulation, the designated percentage of symptomatic persons was selected to begin isolating, with an average delay of 2 days until isolation and treatment. The same percentage of persons who later developed signs or symptoms was selected to begin isolating, with an average delay of 2 days from symptom onset. Simulated persons in isolation were prevented from causing any onward transmission; the model implicitly assumed that isolated persons who died were safely buried (i.e., without washing or embalming and buried by trained teams using personal protective equipment).

Each simulation reported the cumulative number of cases and cumulative number of deaths from the date of spillover until August 22, which would be 90 days after interventions began. The percentages of simulations with <10,000, 10,000–19,999, and ≥20,000 cases and with <2,000, 2,000–3,999, and ≥4,000 deaths were calculated for all simulations in each scenario and separately for those with an R₀ less than or equal to and greater than the median R₀ value. The effective reproductive number (R_e, the average number of onward infections per infectious person, accounting for immunity and public health interventions) was calculated for the preintervention and postintervention periods.

The branching process model was written in Rust (version 1.95.0; The Rust Development Team), and the model calibration and scenario projection pipeline was written in Python (version 3.14.4; Python Software Foundation). This activity was reviewed by CDC, deemed not research, and conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy.^§

Top Results

Outbreak Size Projections and Inferred Spillover Date by Assumed Number of Deaths


Assuming 50 deaths. The model calibrated to 50 deaths estimated that the spillover event that triggered this outbreak most likely occurred on approximately February 19, 2026 (interquartile interval [IQI] = February 1–March 8). Assuming that 20% of infected persons were successfully isolated beginning May 24, 2026, projections showed ≥20,000 cumulative cases in 65% of simulations, ≥10,000 cumulative cases in 85% of simulations, and ≥4,000 cumulative deaths in 69% of simulations (Figure). Even with 50% of infected persons isolated, many simulations still projected these numbers of cases but were less likely to occur (17% of simulations projected ≥20,000 cases and 22% projected ≥4,000 deaths). At 70% isolation, projected outbreaks were much more likely to be smaller, but still of substantial size, with 94% of simulations projecting <10,000 cases and only 1% projecting ≥20,000 cases; similarly, at this isolation level, 90% of simulations projected <2,000 deaths and only 3% projected ≥4,000 deaths. R_e declined proportional to the percentage of infected persons successfully isolated (Supplementary Figure 1).

Assuming 100 deaths. Assuming 100 cumulative deaths as of May 24, 2026, the inferred median spillover date was February 8, 2026 (IQI = January 21–February 27). Very large outbreaks were likely in the scenario in which only 20% of patients were isolated (76% of simulations projected ≥20,000 cases and 87% projected ≥4,000 deaths). In the scenario in which 70% of infected persons were isolated, 73% of simulations projected <2,000 cumulative deaths by August 22, 2026, and 10% projected ≥4,000 deaths (Supplementary Figure 2).

Assuming 200 deaths. Assuming 200 deaths by May 24, 2026, the calibrated model inferred a median spillover date of January 29, 2026 (IQI = January 9–February 18). The earlier spillover date would have generated a larger outbreak by the time interventions began; thus, even with 70% of infected persons isolated, 42% of simulations projected ≥10,000 cases by August 22, 2026.


Sensitivity to Basic Reproductive Number


Simulated outbreaks with R₀ values higher than the median R₀ typically reached ≥10,000 cumulative cases and ≥2,000 cumulative deaths by August 22, 2026, in scenarios with ≤50% isolation, even assuming only 50 cumulative deaths by May 24. In the scenario with 70% of infected persons isolated and 50 assumed deaths by May 24, 2026, no simulations projected ≥2,000 deaths when R₀ values were lower than the median R₀, but 20% of simulations projected ≥2,000 deaths when R₀ values exceeded the median (Supplementary Figure 3).

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Discussion


Model-based scenario projections of the current BVD outbreak suggest that if large-scale and sustained public health interventions are not rapidly implemented to reduce disease transmission, this outbreak could become as large as the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola virus disease outbreak, which resulted in more than 28,000 cases and more than 11,000 deaths (2). Although the worst outcomes (higher numbers of cases and associated deaths) in these projections were less likely when a larger proportion of patients were identified, isolated, and treated, this outbreak could, within 3 months and under low-isolation scenarios, become the second largest Ebola outbreak in history. In light of this projected risk for a very large outbreak even if reasonably effective control measures are implemented, the public health response to control this outbreak will likely need to be of similar magnitude to the response for the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak (3).

Even among simulations calibrated to only 50 deaths or those with a lower R₀, very large outbreaks were still sometimes projected to occur, especially in scenarios without high levels of isolation. Calibrating the model to a larger number of deaths was approximately equivalent to assuming that interventions were implemented later in the outbreak. The results imply that intervening earlier in the outbreak would reduce the likelihood of worse outcomes.

The high probability of a large outbreak over a 3-month period primarily results from the large size of the outbreak at the time it was initially confirmed. This analysis did not provide evidence that R₀ for this outbreak is unusually large.^† Time between Ebola outbreak onset and detection is positively correlated with overall outbreak size and duration (4).

CDC’s assessment that the risk to the general U.S. population is low (5) is not changed by this analysis. Despite the unprecedented size of the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic, only two Ebola transmission events occurred in the United States. Those two infected persons were health care workers caring for a patient with Ebola who had traveled to the United States before enhanced screening, risk assessment, and health education measures were implemented at U.S. ports of entry (6). Both persons infected in the United States recovered.


Limitations


The findings in this report are subject to at least five limitations. First, the true number of BVD deaths that occurred through May 24, 2026, is unknown. Some deaths from BVD might not have been confirmed; similarly, it is possible that other deaths might have been incorrectly attributed to BVD. Second, basic reproductive number estimates for Ebola disease vary widely across outbreaks. The true value of R₀ for this outbreak might be higher or lower than the values used in this analysis. High-quality data on changes in the number of cases and deaths over time are essential to more precisely estimate R₀. Third, changes in behavior that reduce risk for infection (e.g., avoiding contact with ill persons) were not included in the model and might help limit outbreak size. Fourth, the model did not account for transmission reductions attributable to an increase in the proportion of the population with infection-induced immunity. Given the population size of the communities where this outbreak is occurring, this limitation is unlikely to affect the validity of the projections over the time span and numerical ranges of cases presented in this analysis; however, the model could project unrealistically large outbreaks if applied to longer periods. Finally, the model did not include infection relapses after recovery (7). This limitation is unlikely to affect this analysis, but relapses could be important drivers of the course of the epidemic over a longer period.


Implications for Public Health Practice


The current BVD outbreak is already the largest known BVD outbreak, and in scenarios with low percentages of isolated patients, could become one of the largest Ebola outbreaks ever documented. Urgent and sustained public health action is needed to prevent the outbreak from becoming as large as or larger than the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic. This effort could require resources comparable in magnitude to the 2014–2016 Ebola response in West Africa. Rapid identification of cases, contact tracing, isolation and treatment of persons with BVD, community engagement, and use of safe and dignified burial for persons who die from BVD are necessary to control the outbreak.

Top


Acknowledgments


CDC 2026 Ebola Response; Mary Choi, Matt Cole, Katrin Sadigh, Trevor Shoemaker, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, CDC; Amy Whitesell, Inform and Disseminate Division, Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology, CDC; Adetinuke Mary Boyd, Delayo Zomahoun, Division of Global Health Protection, Global Health Center, CDC.

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Corresponding author: Eric Q. Mooring, emooring@cdc.gov.

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¹Predict Division, Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, CDC; ²U.S. Public Health Service, Rockville, Maryland; ³Goldbelt Ltd., Washington, DC; ⁴Inform Division, Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, CDC.

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All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Top


* The DRC national public health institute reported 10 confirmed deaths and 223 suspected deaths as of May 24, 2026. A subsequent report with data as of June 2, 2026, reported a cumulative total of 62 confirmed deaths in DRC.

^§ 45 C.F.R. part 46, 21 C.F.R. part 56; 42 U.S.C. Sect. 241(d); 5 U.S.C. Sect. 552a; 44 U.S.C. Sect. 552a; 44 U.S.C. Sect. 3501 et seq.

^† The calibrated values for R₀ were nearly identical to the input assumption about R₀. The median basic reproductive number R₀ = 2.51 (IQI = 2.27−2.82) in the main analysis calibrated to 50 deaths.

Top References

1. Zomahoun DL, Boyd MA, Honein MA, et al. Notes from the field: Outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus—Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, May 2026. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2026;75. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/...=OS_mm7522e3_w
2. CDC. Ebola outbreak: current situation. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/ebola/situation-summary/index.html
3. Dahl BA, Kinzer MH, Raghunathan PL, et al. CDC’s response to the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic—Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. MMWR Suppl 2016;65(Suppl-3):12–20. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su6503a3 PMID:27388930
4. Matson MJ, Chertow DS, Munster VJ. Delayed recognition of Ebola virus disease is associated with longer and larger outbreaks. Emerg Microbes Infect 2020;9:291–301. https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2020.1722036 PMID:32013784
5. Richard DM, Routledge I, Koeller S, et al. Assessment of risk to the U.S. population from the Ebola disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus, 2026. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2026;75. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/...=OS_mm7522e2_w
6. Cohen NJ, Brown CM, Alvarado-Ramy F, et al. Travel and border health measures to prevent the international spread of Ebola. MMWR Suppl 2016;65Suppl–3):57–67. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su6503a9 PMID:27390092
7. Mbala-Kingebeni P, Pratt C, Mutafali-Ruffin M, et al. Ebola virus transmission initiated by relapse of systemic Ebola virus disease. N Engl J Med 2021;384:1240–7. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2024670 PMID:33789012

Top FIGURE. Percentage of simulated Bundibugyo virus disease outbreaks, by cumulative outbreak size category on August 22, 2026, as measured by cases (A) and deaths (B), and by percentage of simulated patients detected and isolated, using a branching process model,* 2026


* A branching process model is a type of infectious disease transmission model that starts with a single infection and simulates a transmission tree that represents an expanding outbreak. Simulations (500 for each vertical bar) assume 50 Bundibugyo virus disease–associated deaths as of May 24, 2026, and that the isolation intervention began that day.

Top


Suggested citation for this article: Mooring EQ, Koval WT, Routledge I, et al. Modeled Scenario Projections for the Ebola Disease Outbreak Caused by Bundibugyo Virus, 2026. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 5 June 2026. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7522e1.

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[sharon sanders]

This site is not on EDT time. We are on ET so the time stamp for this post is 2:01 ET.


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3pm EDT - US CDC Live Update on #Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda https://youtube.com/live/twgKMPS4U6M

Sorry for no advance notice of a youtube event but the CDC embargoed this presentation intormation until the start time which is really ridiculous. There should be a couple of hours notice for a public youtube presentation. No embargo at all. Shouldn't everyone have a chance to view a CDC public presentation?

[Pathfinder]

Article translated by AIX

Dr Jackson Ngoy: another doctor carried away by Ebola in Ituri

8 June 2026

The Ebola virus disease epidemic continues to claim victims in Ituri. Dr Jackson Ngoy died while he was hospitalized at the Ebola Treatment Centre of the Evangelical Medical Centre (CME) in Nyankunde, in Bunia.Local medical sources confirmed the news this Monday 8 June.

According to a reliable source within the CME, the doctor was not part of the staff of this health facility. “He will be buried this afternoon,” confided this source.

This death constitutes a new loss recorded among health professionals since the declaration of the Ebola epidemic on 15 May 2026. The doctor’s passing occurs in a context where health teams remain strongly mobilized to contain the spread of the disease and ensure the care of infected persons.

The emotion is all the more intense because before his death, Dr Jackson Ngoy had recorded an audio message in which he described the deterioration of his state of health.

According to the national deputy Gratien Iracan de Saint Nicolas, elected representative of the city of Bunia, the doctor expressed in it his need to be transfused, requested his transfer to another health facility and shared his concerns about his condition.

“Some time after this call for help, he unfortunately died,” declared the parliamentarian.

Reacting to this passing, Gratien Iracan says he learned “with deep sadness” of the doctor’s death which occurred on Sunday 7 June in the context of the Ebola epidemic.

The elected representative believes that the elements contained in the deceased’s testimony raise concerns that deserve to be examined. “If the circumstances reported in this testimony are confirmed, they raise serious questions about the conditions of care for patients in the current context of the response against Ebola,” he indicated.

Faced with this situation, the national deputy announces his intention to officially contact the Minister of Health so that the circumstances of this death can be established. He also calls for measures aimed at strengthening patient care as well as the protection of health personnel engaged in the response.

Editorial team

https://buniaactualite.cd/dr-jackson-ngoy-un-autre-medecin-emporte-par-ebola-en-ituri/

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Translation Google

Ebola in Ituri: Death of Jonathan Imbalapayi, president of the Mongbwalu civil society involved in the response

Sunday, June 7, 2026 - 3:21 PM

The rural commune of Mongbwalu is in mourning. Jonathan Imbalapayi, president of the civil society of Mongbwalu and its surroundings, died on the morning of Saturday, June 6, causing great emotion among the local population.

A trained nurse and a well-known figure in the citizen movement in this mining town in the Djugu territory, Jonathan Imbalapayi had been heavily involved in recent weeks in the fight against the Ebola virus disease epidemic that is hitting Ituri.

Very active in local media, he increased his awareness campaigns to encourage the population to respect prevention measures and to collaborate with response teams.

According to several concordant sources, he also participated in first aid operations and the transfer of patients with symptoms consistent with Ebola to specialized care facilities.

"Jonathan was one of those who put themselves at risk to save other lives. He was always available when it was necessary to raise awareness or accompany patients to treatment centers," testifies a community actor from Mongbwalu.

According to several local sources, it was during these operations that he contracted the illness that ultimately led to his death. However, health authorities have not yet officially released any information regarding the exact circumstances of his death.

The announcement of his death sparked a wave of emotion on social media where many residents paid tribute to the memory of a man committed to defending the interests of his community.

For several observers, this disappearance also serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of community actors and health personnel mobilized in the response.

Reacting to this disappearance, the Gender, Family and Child service of Mongbwalu calls on the population to become more aware of the seriousness of the epidemic.

"Jonathan's death should be a wake-up call for each of us. Ebola is real. We ask the population to respect the prevention measures, to quickly report suspected cases and to trust the health teams," said Ms. Jeanne Njangusi, acting head of the Gender, Family and Child service in Mongbwalu.

While several cases of contamination among healthcare workers and community actors have already been recorded since the start of the epidemic, health authorities continue to advocate for increased public adherence to prevention measures in order to break the chains of transmission of the virus.

Freddy Upar, in Bunia

https://actualite.cd/index.php/2026/06/07/ebola-en-ituri-deces-de-jonathan-imbalapayi-president-de-la-societe-civile-de-mongbwalu

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Translation Google

Bunia: A man was found dead near an orphanage in Mudzi-Maria

Monday, June 8, 2026 - 06:19

A man was found dead this Saturday near the fence of the Saint Kizito orphanage, located in the Mudzi-Maria district, in the city of Bunia.

According to eyewitness accounts, the intervention of the Safe Burial Team (SBT) was delayed until early evening, around 6 p.m., due to tension in the area. The team members reportedly feared being attacked by a hostile local population, in a context marked by sensitivity surrounding Ebola deaths.

The body was finally taken into care and buried under the supervision of the relevant services.

The head of the Saint Kizito orphanage expressed her concern about the situation, recalling the vulnerability of the children cared for in the facility.

"We are very worried because the children here are already vulnerable. Seeing an abandoned body so close to our fence creates fear and confusion. We do not know the identity of the person or the cause of death. We ask the authorities to strengthen security and provide rapid response to this type of situation," she said.

Among some residents of the area, the tension remains palpable. One local woman is calling for greater caution during this sensitive health crisis.

"This situation frightens us. We ask everyone to protect themselves, not to hide the sick and to accompany them to health facilities, especially the elderly. We must prevent similar cases from creating even more panic in the community," she said.

Local authorities have not yet officially communicated on the exact circumstances of the death or on a possible referral to a forensic investigation.

During this period of heightened surveillance related to the response to the Ebola virus disease, health services reiterate the importance of the rapid management of suspected cases and of respecting safe burial procedures in order to avoid health risks and community tensions.

Freddy UPAR, in Bunia

https://actualite.cd/2026/06/08/bunia-un-homme-retrouve-mort-pres-dun-orphelinat-mudzi-maria

[sharon sanders]

via AI

Bunia and Beni (in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) are located about 195 km (121 miles) apart by road. A drive between the two cities typically takes around 4.5 hours. For air travel, the direct (aerial) distance is roughly 147 km (91 miles). [1, 2]




Please see:

DRC: Suspected Ebola case in Beni, North Kivu province - confirmation pending - March 9, 2026

[sharon sanders]

via AI


Bunia and Beni (in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) are located about 195 km (121 miles) apart by road. A drive between the two cities typically takes around 4.5 hours. For air travel, the direct (aerial) distance is roughly 147 km (91 miles). [1, 2]


Please see:

DRC: Suspected Ebola case in Beni, North Kivu province - confirmation pending - March 9, 2026

screen shot of our tweet

[Commonground]

Hong Kong: DH further strengthens training on personal protective equipment in light of Ebola disease outbreak in Africa

In light of the recent outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda in Africa, the Scientific Committee on Infection Control (SCIC) under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health convened a meeting yesterday (June 8) to review the risk of transmission of Ebola disease and confirm the current recommendations on personal protective equipment (PPE). This is to ensure comprehensive protection for healthcare professionals and related personnel against infection in the event of suspected or confirmed cases in Hong Kong.

At the meeting, the SCIC reviewed the latest developments of the Ebola disease outbreak, its modes of transmission and risks, as well as the infection control guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health authorities. Following an in-depth discussion, the SCIC confirmed the PPE recommendations for personnel working in different settings and performing different roles to minimise the risk of healthcare professionals and relevant staff contracting Ebola. These recommendations cover healthcare settings (including caring for hospitalised patients, patient registration or triage in hospitals or clinics) and community settings (including health screenings at boundary control points, transporting patients and close contacts, working in quarantine facilities, conducting epidemiological investigations, cleaning and disinfecting community environments, and handling waste). Meanwhile, the SCIC emphasised in its recommendations that while the correct use of PPE is important, other measures, such as timely and proper hand hygiene, thorough cleaning and disinfection of the environment, and proper waste disposal are also indispensable for the effective prevention of infection and transmission.

"Ebola disease is a severe acute viral illness. The virus is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected animals. Human-to-human transmission mainly occurs through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected persons, as well as indirect contact with environments contaminated by such body fluids. Although Ebola disease is not a respiratory illness and is not spread through the airborne route, more than 60 per cent of Ebola patients experience vomiting and diarrhoea, which may create infectious droplets. These patients may also undergo medical procedures that generate aerosols. Given the disease's high fatality rate, additional precautionary measures are required," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

He stressed that the current risk of Ebola disease is mainly confined to the outbreak areas in Africa, including the DRC and Uganda. The immediate impact on public health in Hong Kong remains low. Although no confirmed cases of Ebola have ever been recorded in Hong Kong, as an international city Hong Kong has always remained vigilant in peacetime and stayed alert constantly.

To enhance frontline personnel's understanding of infection control and ensure their safety on the job, the Infection Control Branch (ICB) of the CHP has been providing training to various government departments and organisations since late May this year (including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and its contractors for cleansing services, and the Civil Aid Service). The training covers the correct use of PPE, donning and doffing procedures, and related infection control principles.

In addition, the ICB of the CHP, in collaboration with the Infectious Disease Control Training Centre of the Hospital Authority, organised a forum on Ebola disease last month for healthcare professionals in both the public and private sectors, with more than 1 500 participants. The forum aimed to deepen healthcare professionals' understanding of Ebola and response measures, including diagnosis, clinical management and infection control measures.

The CHP will continue to closely monitor the latest developments overseas and the latest recommendations of the WHO, and will take appropriate follow-up action and implement appropriate prevention and control measures according to risk assessments to safeguard public health.

The latest recommendations of the SCIC have been uploaded to the CHP website.

Ends/Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Issued at HKT 14:30

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202606/09/P2026060900328.htm

[Pathfinder]

SOS Médias Burundi is a small independent news site focused on Burundi and refugee issues.

Translation Google

June 8, 2026
Eric Irambona Refugees Health

Nakivale (Uganda): 13 suspected Ebola cases isolated in a tense camp

SOS Media Burundi

Nakivale, June 8, 2026 – Fears of a possible Ebola outbreak are gripping the Nakivale refugee camp in southwestern Uganda after thirteen suspected cases were quarantined. Health authorities are closely monitoring their condition in a setting marked by overcrowding and concerning hygiene conditions.

According to medical sources, the individuals in question are exhibiting symptoms consistent with Ebola virus disease. They have been isolated and placed under observation at Nyarugugu Health Centre IV to prevent any risk of spread within the camp.

"They have been placed in a quarantine center to ensure regular monitoring of their health," a medical source indicated. Although no cases have yet been confirmed at this stage, the patients are considered suspected cases due to the observed clinical signs.

A local official stated that the isolated individuals are believed to be asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a country regularly plagued by Ebola virus disease outbreaks. This situation is fueling concerns in a camp where new refugees continue to arrive daily.

The Nakivale camp, which hosts over 150,000 refugees, faces significant structural challenges, particularly regarding hygiene, sanitation, and population density. Many residents have expressed concern about the potential for rapid spread should the outbreak be confirmed.

Awareness campaigns are being conducted jointly by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Ugandan authorities in charge of refugees and the NGO Medical Teams International, a UNHCR partner in the health sector.

Authorities have banned mass gatherings and advised against close physical contact, including hugs and kisses. Refugees are encouraged to strengthen hygiene measures, including regular handwashing and the use of disinfectants when available. Community health workers are also conducting door-to-door visits to raise awareness among households.

Epidemiological situation in Uganda

Uganda has recorded a cumulative total of 19 confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease, including 14 imported cases from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and 5 cases of local transmission. The country has reported two deaths related to imported cases, while at least four patients have recovered and been discharged from healthcare facilities.

Health authorities have established specialized treatment units, including a major facility at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, the country's capital, to bolster the response to the outbreak. Several hundred contacts are also being closely monitored as part of epidemiological surveillance measures.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, visited Uganda on June 8, 2026. He praised the effectiveness of the response put in place by the health authorities, while calling for strengthened regional coordination, particularly with the Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicenter of the epidemic.

Faced with this situation, the authorities are calling for vigilance and strict adherence to preventive measures in order to limit any risk of spread in refugee camps and urban areas.

https://www.sosmediasburundi.org/2026/06/08/nakivale-ouganda-13-cas-suspects-debola-isoles-dans-un-camp-sous-tension/

[Pathfinder]

Related to post #52 "Dr Jackson Ngoy: another doctor carried away by Ebola in Ituri"

(screenshot)


(Images translated by Google)




10:14 AM · Jun 9, 2026

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Ebola outbreak: The United States asks Belgium to ban entry to its territory for certain African nationals.

by Louis Vandendriessche
Published on June 10 at 6:38 AM

The United States has asked Belgium to restrict entry to its territory for Congolese nationals due to the Ebola epidemic. This sensitive request is one that Brussels does not intend to comply with at this time, given the approach of the World Cup.

The United States has asked Belgium, through Ambassador Bill White, to impose a ban on Congolese nationals entering the country as part of the fight against the Ebola epidemic, De Morgen and Het Laatste Nieuws reported on Wednesday.

"Urgent action needed": the Ebola epidemic could reach a scale comparable to that of 2014

American diplomats stationed in Europe have confirmed they received instructions from Washington to warn their host countries. During the World Cup in the United States, these countries are expected to adopt strict U.S. travel restrictions related to Ebola. In the absence of such measures, the U.S. administration is reportedly considering imposing entry bans on European countries.

The Belgian federal government has received a request of this nature from Ambassador Bill White, De Morgen has learned. Belgians returning from African countries affected by the pandemic should also observe a quarantine. Public Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) does not wish to respond to this request at this time and continues to follow the measures of the World Health Organization (WHO), the newspaper reports.

No cases of Ebola have yet been reported in the United States, but Washington fears that the imminent influx of millions of fans during the World Cup could change the situation. Since mid-May, travelers returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda who are not American citizens or permanent residents have been barred from entering the United States.

https://www.rtl.be/actu/magazine/sante/epidemie-debola-les-etats-unis-demandent-la-belgique-dinterdire-lacces-son/2026-06-10/article/791194