WHO escalates its response

The World Health Organisation has now activated its second highest health alert and declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to be a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern". (May 16, 2026)

A case of Ebola has been confirmed in Goma, and 2 deaths have been recorded in Uganda.

Goma is very densely populated and located close to the border with Rwanda. A large percentage of the population consists of displaced people. It has been described as a "Humanitarian and Health Catastrophe". Not a good location for an outbreak of Ebola!

The epicentre of the current outbreak is the Ituri Province of the DRC where more than 300 suspected cases have been reported and at least 90 confirmed deaths. The distance between the Capital of the Province (Bunia) and Goma is 450 km. This province borders both Uganda and South Sudan.

The Bundibugyo strain

The strain of the current outbreak has been identified as one called Bundibugyo. There is no vaccine available for this strain, and it can only be contained through strict public health measures (contact tracing and isolation) and travel restrictions. It has been responsible for 2 other major outbreaks in the past. One in Uganda in 2007 and the other in the DRC in 2012. The case fatality rate exceeds 30% but it is less than the more common Zaire strain of Ebola (more than 80%).

There were 42 deaths in the Uganda outbreak, and the current strain is named after the district in which it occurred (Bundibugyo).

What is Ebola virus disease?

Ebola disease is described as a group of diseases caused by 4 ebolaviruses. They are responsible for severe disease in humans. It is possible the reservoir host animal does not experience serious illness, but ebolaviruses are known to cause serious disease in non-human primates such as monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees. It is believed that fruit bats are most likely involved in the transmission of the disease.

Case fatality rates range from 25% to 90%, depending on the strain.

Ebola outbreaks occur periodically in Africa. Most are explosive and all attract media attention.

The 2014 West African epidemic was unusual in its scale and catastrophic for the countries involved. The virus got a head start due to the geopolitical and cultural characteristics of the region. Previous Central and East African outbreaks had been relatively easily contained by the strict quarantine and personal protective equipment measures which are known to be effective.

Ever since Ebola was first detected in 1975 in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, those who have caught the disease have been in close contact with an infected person who already had symptoms of severe illness. The initial or "index" case had acquired it from handling an animal or raw animal meat e.g. primates and forest antelope. The animals have probably been infected by eating fruit contaminated with bat droppings.

How is Ebola transmitted?

Researchers believe the virus is zoonotic (transmitted from an animal to a human) with bats the likely reservoir (it doesn't affect them). There are 5 sub-types of the virus and four have been found in animals in Africa.

Ebola can only be passed from person to person through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids (e.g. saliva, sweat, respiratory droplets, urine, semen) from infected people or animals - dead or alive.

EVD is not an air-borne virus like influenza or measles. Unlike flu and measles, Ebola survives only a short time on hard surfaces. Measles and flu are much more infectious than Ebola, but less life-threatening.

It's worth noting that even people who have recovered can pass on the virus through unprotected sexual contact for up to seven weeks.

Ebola risk to travellers

When African outbreaks of the disease are reported in the media, the common question arises.

"I'm about to go to Africa. Should I be worried about Ebola?"

For leisure travellers, the short answer is 'no'. Even for those planning to stay long term, the risk of acquiring Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is extremely low.

Those who could potentially be exposed include:

• People visiting family or relatives in a region where an outbreak is occurring and who will be staying in family homes for an extended period.
• Healthcare workers based in hospitals or other facilities in areas where (1) outbreaks are occurring, or (2) where the sick are being taken for treatment.

Travelling to East Africa and want to talk through the current risk picture with an Australian travel doctor?

Book a telehealth consultation.

How Ebola is NOT transmitted

You cannot catch Ebola from:

• Casual contact with people in public places - even from an infected person, unless they are exhibiting symptoms, and you are within a metre of them.
• Mosquito bites.
• Handling everyday items like money or groceries.
• Swimming in a pool.

Prevention measures

Much remains to be learned about the transmission of Ebola Virus. Hence there are few established primary prevention measures. Outbreaks over the last 20 years have been managed by isolation of cases and barrier nursing. The challenge now is being able to implement the isolation of cases in situations where there is a lack of services and trust, as well as high population density.

At a personal level, reduce the risk of Ebola infection:

• Avoid direct contact with blood or bodily fluids, or with objects recently contaminated with them.
• Avoid close contact with wild animals - some wild animals can carry the virus. (Don't handle or eat 'bush meat' or bats.)
• Avoid unprotected sex.

Back to basics with history taking

The fact that health workers are frequently victims of Ebola outbreaks (this one too) should alert all international jurisdictions of the importance of safety when triaging people with fevers of unknown origin in health facilities.

It's back to basics with history taking!!

"Have you recently returned from overseas and if so, from where?"

It is quite unusual for the World Health Organisation (WHO) to recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to a country involved. Expatriate workers in high-risk locations may be advised to leave for a period.

For more information on Ebola, see the CDC's Ebola Disease Basics and the WHO fact sheet on Ebola virus disease.