Ebola outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus: challenges and priorities for epidemic preparedness and response
Authors: Nachega J, Mbala-Kingebeni P, Mulangu S, Ndembi N, Preiser W, Skinner D, Sam-Agudu N, Ntoumi F, Tegally H, Baxter C, de Oliveira T, Bosa H, Kaleebu P, Kallay O, Uthman O, Mills E, Rosenthal P, Zumla A, Muyembe-Tamfum J.
Journal: The Lancet, : (2026)
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01141-4
Abstract
Since WHO declared the ongoing outbreak of Ebola virus disease caused by Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense; BDBV) in DR Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared a public health emergency of continental security, the outbreak has continued to evolve rapidly. As of June 3, 2026, 344 laboratory-confirmed cases and 60 deaths had been reported in DR Congo, while Uganda had reported 15 confirmed cases and one death; cross-border transmission has prompted heightened preparedness and response measures across the region.1–3 The outbreak poses a substantial public health threat because diagnosis is often delayed by limited access to suitable point-of-care assays, and no licensed vaccine or approved virus-specific therapeutic currently exists for BDBV.
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Citation: Nachega J, Mbala-Kingebeni P, Mulangu S, Ndembi N, Preiser W, Skinner D, Sam-Agudu N, Ntoumi F, Tegally H, Baxter C, de Oliveira T, Bosa H, Kaleebu P, Kallay O, Uthman O, Mills E, Rosenthal P, Zumla A, Muyembe-Tamfum J. Ebola outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus: challenges and priorities for epidemic preparedness and response The Lancet, : (2026).