Newsletter Edition #356 [The Files Brief]
Readers,
In this quick update we bring you communication from the WHO over the last few days.
In addition, we also bring you an update from Africa CDC's press briefing from last week where Jean Kaseya, Director General of the organization shared his views on the importance of accessing benefits during health emergencies referring to the on-going negotiations on the Pathogen Access Benefit Sharing System. He also discussed the declaration of public health emergency of continental security that followed the declaration by WHO on May 17th.
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I. UPDATES ON THE EBOLA EMERGENCY FROM WHO
May 31, 2026:
Joint statement by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and WHO concerning the outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus
The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirm their strong partnership and shared commitment to protect the health and well-being of the people of Ituri Province and the nation at large, following the joint mission to Bunia led by Dr Samuel Roger Kamba, Minister of Health, Mr. Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, Minister of Communication and Medias, and the visit of WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
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Briefing by Anaïs Legand, Technical Officer, Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers, WHO: (May 29, 2026)
- "On 15 May, the Democratic Republic of the Congo notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease.
- As of 28 May 2026, 125 confirmed cases have been reported, including 17 deaths across 13 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. 16 confirmed cases have been reported among health and care workers.
- 906 suspected cases including over 223 deaths are under investigation.
- This outbreak is happening in a very complex context. In Ituri alone, 1.2 million people need health assistance. Ongoing conflict and food insecurity are making the response more difficult.
- Community engagement will be critical. Experience shows that outbreaks like this can only be brought under control when communities are fully involved in the response.
- On 15 May, Uganda reported a confirmed case in a patient who had travelled from Ituri in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to seek care.
- As of 28 May, seven confirmed cases, including one death, have been reported in Kampala and Wakiso. Three of these cases were imported from the DRC. The others are linked contacts, including health care workers.
- All cases in Uganda are currently linked, and there is no evidence of community transmission at this stage. WHO is supporting the Ugandan authorities to ensure that key response measures are in place.
- On 19 May, the WHO Director-General convened the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee. The Committee issued temporary recommendations on 22 May.
- These recommendations highlight the importance of coordinated outbreak control, strong cross-border collaboration, sustained surveillance and solidarity. Based on the information currently available, WHO does not recommend any restrictions on travel or trade with the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda.
- WHO brought together global experts to review candidate treatments and vaccines. Several candidate products have been identified for further study in clinical trials.
- For treatment, three candidate therapeutics are being prioritised for clinical trials: the monoclonal antibodies MBP134 and Maftivimab, and the antiviral remdesivir. For prevention, the oral antiviral obeldesivir is being prioritised for post-exposure use among contacts of cases. In addition, two candidate vaccines have been identified for evaluation once doses become available."
Message by the WHO Director-General to the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
To the people of DRC, especially to the people of Ituri.
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WHO Director-General’s remarks at the press briefing on the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak – 30 May 2026
