WHO Issues New Measures to Contain Ebola Bundibugyo Outbreak in DR Congo
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued updated temporary recommendations to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the nation works to contain an ongoing outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD). These recommendations came after the Emergency Committee convened for the second time on August 18, 2026, under the International Health Regulations (2005).
The WHO stated that the updated guidance includes detailed measures for surveillance, case detection, infection prevention and control, clinical care, risk communication, and community engagement. New provisions also address social restrictions, mass gatherings, and domestic mobility.
As of August 14, 2026, the WHO assessed the risk associated with the outbreak in the DRC as “very high.” The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), which is part of the Orthoebolavirus genus. Notably, the WHO indicated that there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments specifically for BDBV, though clinical trials are ongoing.
Even if effective vaccines and treatments become available in the future, the WHO emphasized that they would complement, not replace, fundamental public health measures. The updated recommendations call for the DRC to continue recognizing the outbreak as a health emergency and to bolster national emergency management mechanisms. This includes establishing an emergency operations center and a unified national response plan.
The proposed plan aims to enhance surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention, case management, safe and dignified burials, and continuity of essential health services, while also addressing logistics and protecting healthcare workers. The WHO stressed the need for stronger community engagement by working with local and religious leaders, traditional healers, and community members to foster acceptance of public health directives.
Additionally, the agency called for improved surveillance and laboratory capabilities, emphasizing the importance of active case finding, rapid investigation of alerts, and expanded decentralized RT-PCR testing capacity. Authorities are advised to monitor contacts of confirmed and probable cases daily for 21 days following their last known exposure.
In terms of social measures, the WHO recommends postponing mass gatherings in areas with community transmission of BDBV and conducting event-specific risk assessments for gatherings in other regions. Other recommendations include reducing crowding in food and drink establishments, limiting motorcycle passengers to one, facilitating the safe reopening of schools, and establishing 24-hour health checkpoints along roads leading to high-risk areas. The WHO also urged surveillance for inland waterway vessels connecting affected areas to major urban centers, including Kinshasa.
For international travel, the WHO called for enhanced surveillance at border crossings and collaboration between the DRC and neighboring countries to monitor contacts who may have crossed borders. Suspected and confirmed cases, as well as contacts based on exposure risk, should be barred from international travel except for medical evacuations. Exit screening measures, including questionnaires for possible exposure and temperature checks at airports and ports, are also recommended.
Furthermore, the WHO urged healthcare facilities to strengthen infection prevention and control measures, ensure adequate supplies of personal protective equipment, and provide ongoing training and supervision for healthcare workers. Survivor follow-up programs offering counseling, psychosocial support, clinical care, sexual health guidance, and stigma-reduction services were also recommended.
The agency called for further research into BDBV transmission patterns and the development of medical countermeasures, including candidate vaccines and therapeutics. It emphasized the importance of supporting ethically approved clinical trials and enhancing regulatory processes to accelerate research efforts.
All recommendations should be implemented with respect for human dignity, rights, and fundamental freedoms, in accordance with the principles of the International Health Regulations. The DRC is expected to report monthly to the WHO on the implementation of these recommendations, highlighting any challenges and gaps in the national response.
