The World Health Organization, WHO, has urged countries to avoid imposing travel bans and border closures linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, warning that such measures could undermine response efforts. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, has affected communities in eastern DR Congo and crossed into neighboring Uganda. Health authorities say the absence of an approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain presents additional challenges for containment efforts.
The Ebola outbreak was officially declared in May 2026 and is centered in Ituri Province in eastern DR Congo. Cases have also been reported in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, regions that have experienced prolonged security challenges and population displacement.
Unlike previous outbreaks caused by the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus, the current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo variant. According to WHO, vaccines approved for the Zaire strain do not provide protection against the Bundibugyo strain, leaving public health authorities dependent on surveillance, testing, isolation of patients, contact tracing, and community engagement to contain transmission.
WHO has classified the national risk level in DR Congo as “very high,” while maintaining a high regional risk level and a low global risk assessment. During a visit to Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province and the center of response operations, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on countries that had introduced travel restrictions to review those measures.
“I call on countries that have imposed travel bans or border closures to reconsider. These measures make the response harder, and they discourage transparency and trust that saves lives,” Tedros said. WHO data released on May 29 showed that the Ebola outbreak had led to 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths in DR Congo. Across DR Congo and Uganda, health authorities had confirmed 134 cases and 18 deaths as of the same date.
The organization also reported that 16 confirmed infections had occurred among healthcare workers involved in the response effort. Cases have been recorded across 13 health zones, highlighting the geographical spread of the outbreak and the complexity of containment operations. Tedros noted that while there is no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, survival rates improve significantly when infected individuals receive early diagnosis and quality medical care.
The Ebola outbreak has generated concern among regional health authorities because of cross-border movement and the outbreak’s presence in areas affected by insecurity. WHO officials have warned that attacks on health facilities, population displacement, and mistrust within communities could hinder containment efforts.
The organization maintains that travel and trade restrictions may discourage countries from reporting cases promptly, potentially weakening regional and international disease surveillance systems. Instead, WHO has encouraged stronger cooperation among neighboring countries, enhanced monitoring measures, and continued public health preparedness.
