DRC: Ebola Outbreak in Conflict-Hit Ituri Raises Regional Alarm 

May 19, 2026

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, as cases linked to the rare Bundibugyo virus continue to raise a growing concern about regional spread.  

This latest outbreak is especially concerning because Ituri is a commercial and migration hub bordering Uganda and South Sudan, with heavy movement of people for trade and work. It comes as communities in eastern DRC are already facing conflict, displacement, hunger, weak health services, and declining humanitarian aid. The most severe Ebola outbreak in DRC’s history occurred in North Kivu and Ituri from 2018 to 2020, causing 3,470 cases and 2,287 deaths. 

Rose Tchwenko, Mercy Corps Country Director for DRC, says: 

“The speed at which this Ebola outbreak is spreading is deeply worrying. Delays in detecting the earliest case may have allowed the virus to move ahead of the response. In an area where people are constantly moving for work, trade and safety, even a short delay can make contact tracing and containment much harder.  

For families struggling to access safety, food, clean water, and basic care, this outbreak is a dangerous threat multiplier, adding pressure to people and services already stretched to the limit and declining humanitarian aid. 

We are also concerned about the additional risks to humanitarian access. If key routes or supply corridors are disrupted, critical supplies could be delayed, weakening efforts to contain the outbreak and cutting conflict-affected communities off from lifesaving support when they need it most. First responders must be able to move safely, reach hard-to-access communities, support health facilities, deliver supplies, and provide trusted information before fear and misinformation spread further. 

The government, with support from partners, health agencies, and humanitarian organizations, is already taking steps to control the outbreak—but the risk of wider spread is real, and more regional and global support is urgently needed. Humanitarian actors are already stretched in DRC, and donors and partners must mobilize funding and resources to scale up the response, protect frontline health workers, support local responders, strengthen surveillance and contact tracing, and put trusted, conflict sensitive community engagement at the center.” 

Mercy Corps is present in affected areas of Ituri, including Bunia and Rwampara health zones, and has put protective measures in place so teams can continue operating safely as the response develops. 

Drawing on our ongoing programming and experience supporting communities during past outbreaks, our emergency teams are ready to support government-led efforts by strengthening water, sanitation, and hygiene services in communities, schools, and health facilities; helping provide personal protective equipment; setting up handwashing stations and temperature screening in public areas and transport hubs; and supporting community awareness and engagement to counter misinformation and rumours, and mitigate conflict risk. 

Notes to Editor 

  • Around 26.5 million people are expected to face high levels of acute food insecurity between January and June 2026. This includes more than 3.6 million people in IPC Phase 4, Emergency, and 22.9 million people in IPC Phase 3, Crisis. 
  • The 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) for DRC requires US$1.4 billion, a 45 percent reduction compared with 2025. This reflects a smaller target population, reduced by 34 percent, and changes to planned activities. 
  • As of 31 March 2026, the 2026 HNRP had received US$424.5 million, just 30.2 percent of the total required, with major funding gaps across various sectors. 
  • By December 2025, the DRC HNRP had received just 22 percent of required funding, or US$562 million. This marked the lowest funding level since 2017 and a steep drop from the US$1.3 billion raised in 2024. 

For more information or media inquiries, please contact: