Over the span of just a few weeks, the 2026 Ebola outbreak in Central Africa has grown increasingly serious. On Sunday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the epidemic a public health emergency.
The outbreak was first reported in Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). At the time the outbreak was officially confirmed two weeks earlier, there had already been 80 deaths and 246 suspected infections. As of the publication of this article, the number has risen to more than 200 deaths and over 900 suspected cases, according to figures released on Sunday, 25 May.
The following are some important points of information regarding the new Ebola outbreak.
What is Ebola?
First identified in 1976, Ebola disease is a severe illness caused by viruses belonging to the orthoebolavirus genus.
The virus is initially transmitted from animals to humans and can spread rapidly through communities via contact with bodily fluids such as blood.
Symptoms include high fever, followed by severe fluid loss through vomiting and diarrhoea, which can eventually lead to organ failure.
Ebola outbreaks have been recorded periodically since the start of the 21st century. The most significant outbreak occurred between 2014 and 2016 in West Africa, during which the WHO declared a public health emergency.
The 2014-2016 epidemic concluded with over 28,000 infections and 11,000 deaths.
The experience of the 2014 outbreak has since better prepared local healthcare workers and NGOs to respond to future Ebola outbreaks. It also accelerated research into Ebola treatments, contributing to the development of vaccines targeting the most common species of the virus.
The 2026 Ebola Outbreak
The 2026 Ebola outbreak differs significantly from the 2014 epidemic, most notably in the species of the virus responsible for the current outbreak. The less common Bundibugyo virus has been identified as the cause, unlike the Zaire ebolavirus species that drove the 2014 outbreak in West Africa.
Bundibugyo is the most recently discovered species of ebolavirus. Prior to the current epidemic, only two known outbreaks of the virus had been recorded, in 2007 and 2015.
The Bundibugyo virus has a fatality rate of around 50 per cent, lower than that of several other ebolavirus species, though this remains little consolation. Despite its comparatively lower fatality rate, Bundibugyo is still a highly dangerous virus that requires urgent international attention to contain its spread.
The rarity of the virus and the limited research surrounding it have complicated efforts to develop effective treatments.
In addition, medical infrastructure in Ituri Province has been overwhelmed by the rapid spread of the disease. Samples taken from infected patients currently have to be transported around 2,000 km to Kinshasa, the capital of DR Congo, for testing.
More than US$500 million in international aid has been pledged to help contain the outbreak. The growing global response reflects an increasing recognition of the seriousness of the epidemic.
Vaccine and Treatments
There are currently no recognised vaccines or medications specifically approved for the Bundibugyo virus, with most medical advances having focused on other species of ebolavirus.
However, this does not mean doctors are without options in treating the disease. Research carried out following the 2014 outbreak has provided medical professionals with several possible approaches for responding to the current epidemic.
Potential treatments range from antibody-based therapies to the orally administered antiviral drug Obeldesivir, which the WHO has described as “promising”.
However, most treatments remain in the early stages of development. In the best-case scenario, a vaccine specifically targeting the Bundibugyo virus would still take months to develop and approve.
The Economist has suggested that wealthier governments commit in advance to purchasing vaccine stockpiles once a vaccine is authorised, in order to encourage faster funding and development in the field of Ebola medication.
The suggestion is sensible. However, given the time required to develop a reliable vaccine, immediate aid efforts should focus on supplying better equipment and increasing funding for local NGOs to support the deployment of additional healthcare workers.
Local NGOs remain under significant strain and continue to face the risk of infection. The Red Cross has already reported the deaths of three volunteers, due in part to a shortage of protective equipment while handling Ebola-infected bodies.
International Caution
Concerns over the spread of ebolavirus, combined with lessons learned from the previous Ebola epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, have prompted governments around the world to adopt strong precautionary measures.
Singapore’s Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) has announced that it is “closely monitoring” the outbreak and screening arriving travellers for possible symptoms.
There are currently no direct flights between Singapore and the regions affected by the outbreak.
The CDA has also issued a separate statement calling for greater vigilance amid a recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Singapore.
In periods of uncertainty and public concern, individuals should take personal responsibility for monitoring both their own health and the well-being of those under their care.
The CDA has advised travellers experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding to seek medical attention immediately.
