Ebola outbreak may be spreading faster than first thought 2026

Key Points

• WHO warns Ebola outbreak in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Ituri) may be spreading faster and further than first thought.
• At least 136 confirmed deaths and more than 514 suspected cases in DR Congo; one death reported in Uganda.
• MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis modelling suggests substantial under-detection and a possible true caseload exceeding 1,000.
• WHO emergency declaration made by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; Dr Anne Ancia says spread to other provinces and across borders is increasingly evident.
• Local residents in Ituri report rapid deaths, fear, and limited access to protective supplies such as masks and clean water.
• Red Cross warns outbreak could escalate rapidly where cases are missed, communities lack information and health systems are overwhelmed.
• DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi held a crisis meeting and urged calm and vigilance.
• Outbreak occurring in conflict-affected regions with damaged health infrastructure, large population movements and refugees from South Sudan.
• No vaccine is available for the Bundibugyo strain driving this outbreak; WHO is evaluating whether other drugs might help.
• Countries in the region are tightening border measures and preparing health facilities; cross-border cases have already been recorded.
• International evacuations and medical transfers are underway for symptomatic foreign nationals and exposed individuals.
• WHO has released about $4m but warns more funding will be required to control the epidemic.

London (Britain Today News) May 19, 2026 – The World Health Organization warned on Wednesday that the Ebola outbreak centred in Ituri province may be spreading faster and more widely than initially believed, as new modelling and local testimony paint a picture of under-detection, rapid fatalities and growing cross-border risk.

What is the scale of the outbreak and how many people have died?

As reported by WHO officials, the virus has been linked to at least 136 confirmed deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with more than 514 suspected cases under investigation and one death recorded in neighbouring Uganda. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director‑General, said he was

“deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic”

when he declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Could there already be far more cases than reported?

Modelling from the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis in London suggests substantial under-detection of cases and warns that the outbreak’s

“true magnitude remains uncertain”

and could, in the worst case, exceed 1,000 infections. As reported by the MRC team, the study indicates the current outbreak is likely

“larger than currently ascertained”,

underscoring gaps between detected and actual infections.

What are people living near the epicentre saying?

Local residents in Ituri describe a community under severe strain. A man identifying himself as Bigboy told the BBC that people are “really scared” and taking what precautions they can, such as washing hands with clean water. He added bluntly:

“Ebola has tortured us,”

describing how infected people are dying “very fast”. Another Ituri resident, Alfred Giza, said locals are waiting to receive face masks and that he would not know what to do if a family member became sick.

How is insecurity and population movement affecting the response?

Dr Anne Ancia of the WHO told BBC Newsday that Ituri is

“a very unsecured area with lots of movement of population”,

complicating investigation and containment efforts. She said:

“The more we are investigating this outbreak, the more we realise that it has already disseminated at least a little bit across border and also in other provinces.”

The outbreak has now reached South Kivu and there is a confirmed case in Goma, a densely populated eastern city of around 850,000 people.

Could the fragile local health system make the outbreak worse?

Humanitarian agencies warn that the region’s long history of conflict has left health services weakened. The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that Ebola can escalate quickly

“if cases are not identified early, communities lack information and health systems are overwhelmed”,

and added:

“we are seeing all those conditions”

in this outbreak. Hospitals and clinics damaged by years of fighting and millions living in unsanitary, displaced-person conditions increase the risk of rapid transmission.

Why is the Bundibugyo strain significant and are vaccines available?

The current outbreak has been caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is rarer than the Zaire strain responsible for the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic. There is currently no approved vaccine specifically for Bundibugyo, unlike for the Zaire strain. WHO scientists are evaluating whether existing drugs or vaccines may offer some protection, but for now treatment and containment rely heavily on classic public health measures: case detection, contact tracing and supportive clinical care.

What measures are governments and agencies taking?

Regional governments have tightened border screening and prepared health facilities. Rwanda has closed parts of its border with DR Congo, and other neighbours have issued guidance to avoid close contact such as hugging and handshakes. DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi convened a crisis meeting and urged citizens to remain calm while stressing vigilance. WHO has disbursed nearly $4m in emergency funds but has warned that much more financing will be needed to scale up surveillance, laboratory testing, protective equipment and community engagement.

Are foreign nationals affected and being evacuated?

Several foreign nationals have been affected or exposed. An American citizen, reported to be a missionary doctor, developed symptoms and is being evacuated from DR Congo for treatment, while Germany’s health ministry has said it is arranging to bring a US national to Germany for care. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said it is working to evacuate at least six other Americans who were exposed to the virus.
Explore More about London:
London Nova Festival exhibition recreates 7 October massacre in immersive display — May 20, 2026
Tube strikes cancelled at ‘eleventh hour’ amid ongoing negotiations 2026

How quickly can Ebola move through communities?

Ebola spreads by direct contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood, vomit or diarrhoea. It initially mimics influenza with fever, headache and fatigue before progressing in some patients to vomiting, diarrhoea and organ failure; some people develop internal or external bleeding. The rapid progression described by Ituri residents—people dying “very fast”—is consistent with concerns that cases are not being detected early, allowing transmission chains to continue unchecked.

What are the key obstacles to controlling the outbreak?

Several intersecting challenges increase the difficulty of control:

• Insecurity and armed conflict, which restrict access for health teams.
• Large-scale population movement including over 11,000 refugees from South Sudan and migrant workers in gold mines, which facilitates spread.
• Health system damage and limited laboratory capacity for rapid diagnosis.
• Community fear, misinformation and shortage of protective supplies such as masks and clean water.
• Absence of a proven vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, limiting one available tool used in previous outbreaks.

What next steps are being urged by health authorities?

WHO and partner agencies are intensifying community engagement, expanding surveillance and contact tracing, and supporting clinical care for patients. Dr Anne Ancia urged communities and health authorities to prioritise early detection and reporting, and to reduce risky burial and caregiving practices. She emphasised that,

“The more we investigate, the clearer it becomes that we need to act more broadly across provinces and borders.”

How worried should neighbouring countries be?

Neighbouring states are right to take precautions: cross-border spread has already been documented and large urban centres such as Goma present a heightened risk for rapid amplification if cases are introduced there. Public messaging to avoid close physical contact and to seek care for symptoms, together with strengthened points-of-entry screening and rapid laboratory testing, are essential short-term measures while international support is scaled up.

What does this outbreak mean for global health security?

The WHO emergency declaration signals that the outbreak poses risks beyond national borders and requires an international response. The modelling implying substantial under-detection should serve as a warning: where surveillance and access are weak, the observed caseload may represent only a fraction of true infections. Global funding, rapid deployment of skilled outbreak teams, and support for local health systems will be critical to preventing further spread.