DRC Ebola Outbreak Worsens as Uganda Declares End to 2026 Epidemic
Credit: Wellcome
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to escalate, with thousands of infections and deaths reported, raising concerns over the safety of millions of displaced people and neighbouring countries, including South Sudan.
A new UNHCR External Update released on 31 July said the DRC had recorded 3,360 confirmed Ebola cases and 1,487 deaths as of 27 July. The outbreak, declared on 15 May, has spread to 48 health zones across five provinces, with Ituri Province accounting for nearly 90 percent of all confirmed cases and fatalities.
The UN refugee agency warned that the expanding outbreak poses a growing threat to displaced communities. The affected provinces host around 4.4 million forcibly displaced people, including 3.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), 274,000 refugees and asylum seekers, 290,000 returnees, and about 46,800 South Sudanese refugees living in Ituri, the outbreak’s epicentre.
Although no Ebola cases have been reported among refugees or asylum seekers, 19 infections, including five deaths, have been confirmed among internally displaced people, mainly in Ituri. Humanitarian agencies say overcrowded shelters, inadequate water and sanitation services, insecurity, and attacks on health workers continue to hamper efforts to contain the disease.
UNHCR and its humanitarian partners have stepped up prevention efforts by strengthening community awareness campaigns, training health workers, improving laboratory services, and providing healthcare and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support in refugee settlements. However, the agency said critical shortages of funding, medical supplies, isolation facilities, ambulances and protective equipment continue to undermine the response.
Meanwhile, Uganda officially declared its 2026 Ebola outbreak over on 28 July, following the successful completion of the mandatory 42-day monitoring period after the last locally transmitted case recovered. The country recorded 20 confirmed cases, including 18 recoveries and two deaths, with most infections linked to imported cases from the DRC.
Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak – Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda – UNHCR External Update 31 July 2026.pdfDespite the declaration, Ugandan authorities have maintained enhanced surveillance and preparedness measures due to the continued spread of Ebola in eastern DRC. Refugee settlements remain under close monitoring, while health teams continue community engagement and disease prevention activities to reduce the risk of cross-border transmission.
UNHCR is appealing for USD 14.08 million to support Ebola preparedness and response efforts between July and November 2026 in the DRC and Uganda, while strengthening readiness in South Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda. The agency warned that available funding remains insufficient to meet the growing humanitarian and public health needs.
