18/05/2026
There is a new Ebola outbreak currently reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with spread into Uganda. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
*Current reported numbers (mid-May 2026)*
➡️ ~246–336 suspected cases
➡️ ~80–88 deaths reported
➡️ Confirmed cross-border spread to Uganda
*How Ebola spreads*
➡️ Direct contact with blood/body fluids
➡️ Contaminated needles/surfaces
➡️ Contact with infected dead bodies
➡️ Not spread through casual airborne transmission like COVID-19
*Symptoms*
➡️ Fever
➡️ Severe weakness
➡️ Vomiting/diarrhea
➡️ Bleeding manifestations
➡️ Shock/multiorgan failure in severe cases
*Important clinical point*
Ebola should be suspected in:
➡️ Acute febrile illness + bleeding + travel/exposure history to endemic regions.