The Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while Uganda is moving closer to declaring its outbreak over and is now seeking the removal of Ebola-related travel restrictions imposed by the United States.
According to the latest update released on 20 July 2026, the DRC has recorded 2,423 confirmed Ebola cases and 967 deaths, based on data reported up to 19 July. Health authorities say 734 patients remain hospitalized in isolation, while 469 people have recovered from the disease.
The latest figures represent an increase of 79 new confirmed cases and 37 deaths in a single day. Most of the new infections were reported in Ituri Province, which remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for 2,160 cases and 811 deaths. North Kivu has reported 239 cases and 141 deaths, while smaller numbers of cases have been reported in South Kivu, Haut-Uele and Tshopo provinces.
Overall, 47 health zones across five provinces remain affected, with health officials continuing contact tracing and surveillance efforts.
Meanwhile, Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths since the outbreak began. The country’s last confirmed case was reported on 21 June, and no new infections have been recorded since then. On 16 July, health authorities discharged the last Ebola patient from treatment, triggering the World Health Organization’s mandatory 42-day countdown before the country can be declared Ebola-free.
As Uganda marks progress in containing the outbreak, African health authorities are calling on the United States to lift Ebola-related travel and entry restrictions affecting the country. Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya has formally requested Washington to remove Uganda from the temporary Ebola-related entry suspension, arguing that the country has not recorded a new case in nearly a month, has discharged its last patient, and has demonstrated effective outbreak control measures.
Ugandan officials say the restrictions have affected tourism, trade, and international travel despite the country’s success in containing the disease. However, U.S. authorities have maintained that Uganda remains subject to the restrictions because of the broader regional outbreak involving neighbouring DRC and South Sudan.
The outbreak has also led to imported cases outside Africa, including cases reported in Germany, France, and the United States involving individuals who had travelled from affected areas in the DRC. Despite these developments, European health authorities continue to assess the risk to the general public in Europe as very low while maintaining enhanced monitoring and surveillance
