Question 1

What is Ebola?

Accepted Answer

Ebola is caused by a group of viruses that belong to the Orthoebolaviruses genus of the filoviridae family. The disease was first discovered in 1976 during two simultaneous outbreaks in South Sudan and DRC.

There are four types of Orthoebolaviruses that are known to cause infection in humans. The current outbreak is from the Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense), which causes Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD).

Question 2

Current Outbreak

Accepted Answer

Initial alerts were reported in Ituri Province, DRC in early May and were tested and found to be BVD. Since the first identification of the virus, more cases have been identified in the neighboring province of Nord Kivu, with another confirmed case identified in Sud Kivu Province.

Additional cases have been identified in Uganda, and the cross-border transmission risk remains high.

This is also the third outbreak of BVD, which has a mortality rate of 25%-50%, with the previous outbreaks occurring in Uganda in 2007 and DRC in 2012.

This is the 17th recorded outbreak of Ebola disease in DRC since 1976, with the most recent outbreak having ended in December 2025.

As of Aug 17, 2026, the DRC and Uganda Ministries of Health have reported:

DRC: 5105 confirmed cases, 2420 confirmed deaths
Uganda: 20 confirmed cases, 2 confirmed deaths, 1 probable case, 1 probable death

Question 3

What are the symptoms?

Accepted Answer

The first early-stage symptoms of Ebola are “dry” symptoms that include fever, aches, pains and fatigue.

These can progress to “wet” symptoms that include diarrhea, vomiting and internal and external bleeding from orifices.

On average, symptoms begin eight to 10 days after exposure.

Question 4

Vaccination

Accepted Answer

There are two licensed vaccines available against Orthoebolavirus zairense, the type of Ebola virus responsible for the deadliest Ebola outbreaks, including the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak.

These include:

The one-dose Ervebo vaccine
The two-dose regimen of Zabdeno and Mvabea

However, the other three types, including BVD, have no available vaccines or treatment options other than aggressive supportive care.

Question 5

How is it transmitted?

Accepted Answer

Ebola virus is initially spread through close contact with blood, secretions and other bodily fluids of infected animals, such as fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas or monkeys.

It is then spread from human to human through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids from an infected person and through contact with contaminated objects or surfaces such as clothing, bedding or medical equipment.

DRC is prone to Ebola outbreaks because the virus’s “natural reservoir”—the fruit bat—is found in the country’s forested areas.

Question 6

VillageReach

Accepted Answer

Al Jazeera – Will the latest Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda spread further?
CNN – American infected with Ebola in DRC, as US moves to limit entry from virus-hit region
The Inside Story Podcast – Will the new Ebola outbreak in Africa spread?
TRT World – Africa Matters: DRC Ebola Emergency
Roundtable – Race to contain rare Ebola strain as cases explode in war-torn DRC
CGTN Africa – Talk Africa: Why does Ebola keep coming back?
KBC – Environmental degradation igniting emergence of zoonotic diseases like Ebola

Direct Relief and VillageReach Deliver Critical Ebola Aid and PPE to DRC Frontlines
CGTN America – Ebola outbreak sparks urgent global warning
Direct Relief – Ebola Outbreak Deaths Exceed 1,000
Direct Relief – Three Months Into Fast-Spreading Ebola Epidemic, Direct Relief’s Response Spans Three Nations

Question 7

Country Updates

Accepted Answer

Democratic Republic of Congo
Uganda

Question 8

General

Accepted Answer

NY Times – Battling a Deadly Ebola Outbreak in Eastern Congo

Question 9

WHO

Accepted Answer

Ebola disease fact sheet
Ebola epidemic statement
Ebola virus disease vaccines
Ebola outbreak – DRC 2026
Frequently asked questions on Bundibugyo Virus Disease vaccines and therapeutics
WHO emergency guidance on the use of licensed Ebola virus vaccine during Bundibugyo virus disease outbreaks, 28 May 2026
WHO Technical Advisory Group on Candidate Vaccine Prioritization Meeting report, 19 and 25 May 2026
FAQ sur les vaccins et les traitements contre la BVD
GNN webinar: Updates on existing and pipeline Ebola vaccines

Question 10

Africa CDC

Accepted Answer

Statement from the Director General
Africa CDC Calls for Urgent Regional Coordination

VillageReach Ebola Updates

Rethinking Integration, Focusing on Networking and Coordination

Race to contain rare Ebola strain as cases explode in war-torn DRC

Africa Matters: DRC Ebola Emergency

American infected with Ebola in DRC, as US moves to limit entry from virus-hit region

Will the latest Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda spread further?

Strengthening Lab Transport Systems to Stop Outbreaks: Program Highlights (July–December 2025)

Against Anthrax: How Uganda is Strengthening Community-Based Surveillance

VillageReach Lab Sample Transport Portfolio

Press Release – VillageReach Commences Program to Strengthen Epidemic Preparedness and Response Across Africa

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