UC Berkeley infectious disease expert Charles Whittaker on Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda (publichealth.berkeley.edu)

• Third-largest Ebola outbreak (540 cases, 130 deaths); Bundibugyo strain with no available vaccine
• WHO declared PHEIC May 17; US imposed travel restrictions; Imperial College models double undercount
• Conflict and community distrust hamper response; supportive care is mainstay; risk to US low

"On May 15, 2026, a rare Bundibugyo strain Ebola outbreak was identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 540 documented cases and 130 deaths. WHO declared a PHEIC on May 17. No vaccines or therapeutics exist for this strain, so the response relies on supportive care and public health measures. The US imposed travel restrictions. Experts worry about undercount due to conflict and community distrust."