Authorities are concerned about the risk of further spread due to population high mobility, insecurity, and the proximity of affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan through a porous border.

Distribution of suspected and confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, as of 24 May 2026:

WHO assesses the risk of the epidemic as very high at the national level, high at regional levels, and low at the global level (including Switzerland and the EU/EEW). For details, see LINK.

ECDC: Due to the very recent declaration of the outbreak and the uncertainties related to the
epidemiological information, it is probable that the outbreak is much larger than what is currently
being reported – not only in regard to the number of affected cases, but also to its geographical
extent.

ECDC assesses the risk for EU/EEA travellers in affected areas as low if precautions (see below) are followed but emphasizes uncertainties and rapid evolution.

ECDC considers that screening of returning travellers from affected areas (DRC, Uganda) would not be an effective measure to prevent introduction to Europe. This consideration is based on the lessons learned and results of the large EVD outbreak in West Africa between 2013 and 2016, where tens of thousands of cases were reported, transmission was ongoing in large urban centres, and hundreds of EU/EEA humanitarian and military personnel were deployed to the affected areas. Screening incoming travellers is time- and resource-consuming and will not effectively identify infected cases.

Priority should instead be given to providing travellers with clear information on symptoms, routes of transmission, and what to do if symptoms develop after arrival in the EU/EEA. For details, see ECDC Threat Assessment, 21 May 2026.

The situation is evolving rapidly. Avoid non-essential travel to affected areas in DRC, Uganda and South Sudan. In case travel cannot be avoided, see precautions below:

General preventive measures:

• Wash hands regularly and carefully using soap and water (or alcohol gel if soap is unavailable).
  
• Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.
  
• Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.
  
• Avoid visiting healthcare facilities in the filovirus-affected areas for nonurgent medical care or non-medical reasons.
  
• Avoid contact with dead bodies or items that have been in contact with dead bodies, participating in funeral or burial rituals, or attending a funeral or burial. 
  
• Avoid handling, cooking, or eating bush/wild meat (meat of wild/feral mammals killed for food).
  
• Wash and peel fruit and vegetables before consumption.
  
• Avoid visiting mines or bat caves and contact with all wild animals; alive or dead, particularly bats.
  
• If visiting mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies, wear gloves and other appropriate protective clothing, including masks and eye protection.
  
• Practice safer sex.
  

Of note: there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment against Ebola diseased caused by Bundibugyo virus. For humanitarian missions, consultation with a travel medicine specialist is recommended.

While in the outbreak area and for 21 days after leaving:

• Watch for symptoms.
• Follow quarantine measures established by your local health authorities.

! In case of symptoms such as fever or feeling feverish during your stay in and for 21 days after leaving north-eastern D.R. Congo (province of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu) and /or Uganda, especially the affected areas:

• Separate yourself from others (isolate) immediately.
  
• Do not travel.
  
• By phone: contact local health authorities or a healthcare facility for a thorough evaluation of your risk (e.g. tropical institute or travel clinic or university hospital infectious disease unit).
  
• Always state that you were in the affected areas and you may have had a possible exposure to Ebola (incubation period: 2-21 days). 
  
• While under investigation as a suspected case, please also raise the issue of a malaria test and other investigations as necessary based on the exposure region.
• Details for Ebola disease: see BAG and RKI (in German) or ECDC (in English).

Swiss ECTM recommendations (as of 28 May 2026, subject to change according to the evolving situation):
A suspected case is:

1. A symptomatic person (see FOPH case definition) with a history of stay within the last 21 days in north-eastern D.R. Congo (province of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu) and/or Uganda.    
                             AND
   
2. Having had a high-risk exposure* - evaluated by a specialist in infectious diseases or tropical medicine (in case of doubt, contact the Geneva Reference Centre for Emerging Virus Diseases).
   

Such cases should be isolated, tested, and reported to the Cantonal Physician and the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health within 2 hours.

*High-risk exposure includes:

• Participation in local funerals; or
  
• Contact with a sick patient at home, during transport, or in a healthcare facility; or
• Attendance at a local healthcare facility.

WHO assesses the risk of the epidemic as high at the national and regional levels, and low at the global level (including Switzerland and EU/EEW).

The outbreak was first detected in a remote and conflict-affected area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are significant uncertainties to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread associated with this event at the present time. In addition, there is limited understanding of the epidemiological links with known or suspected cases.

People visiting affected areas in D.R. Congo and Uganda should follow these precautions:

General preventive measures:

• Wash hands regularly and carefully using soap and water (or alcohol gel if soap is unavailable).
  
• Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.
  
• Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.
  
• Avoid visiting healthcare facilities in the filovirus-affected areas for nonurgent medical care or non-medical reasons.
  
• Avoid contact with dead bodies or items that have been in contact with dead bodies, participating in funeral or burial rituals, or attending a funeral or burial. 
  
• Avoid handling, cooking, or eating bush/wild meat (meat of wild/feral mammals killed for food).
  
• Wash and peel fruit and vegetables before consumption.
  
• Avoid visiting mines or bat caves and contact with all wild animals; alive or dead, particularly bats.
  
• If visiting mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies, wear gloves and other appropriate protective clothing, including masks and eye protection.
  
• Practice safer sex.
  

Of note: there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment against Ebola diseased caused by Bundibugyo virus. For humanitarian missions, consultation with a travel medicine specialist is recommended.

While in the outbreak area and for 21 days after leaving:

• Watch for symptoms.
  
• Follow quarantine measures by your local health authorities if applicable.
  

! In case of symptoms (during your stay in North-eastern D.R. Congo (province of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu) and /or Uganda, especially the affected area, or until 21 days after leaving) such as fever >38° C:

• Separate yourself from others (isolate) immediately.
  
• Do not travel.
  
• Contact by phone local health authorities or a healthcare facility for advice (e.g. tropical institute or travel clinic or university hospital infectious disease unit).
  
• Always state that you may have had a possible exposure to Ebola (incubation period: 2-21 days). 
• As soon as you know that you are NOT a suspected case, go to a tropical / travel clinic, or to the hospital if severe, to get a malaria test (and other investigations If necessary).

Swiss ECTM recommendations (as of 28 May 2026, subject to change according to the evolving situation):
A suspected case is:

1. A symptomatic person (see FOPH case definition) with a history of stay within the last 21 days in north-eastern D.R. Congo (province of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu) and/or Uganda.     
                             AND
   
2. Having had a high-risk exposure* - evaluated by a specialist in infectious diseases or tropical medicine (in case of doubt, contact the Geneva Reference Centre for Emerging Virus Diseases).
   Such cases should be isolated, tested, and reported to the Cantonal Physician and the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health within 2 hours.
   

*High-risk exposure includes:

• Participation in local funerals; or
  
• Contact with a sick patient at home, during transport, or in a healthcare facility; or
• Attendance at a local healthcare facility.

Hantaviruses are rodent-borne zoonotic viruses transmitted to humans primarily through contact with contaminated rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. Human infections are rare but can cause severe and sometimes fatal disease.

Two main clinical syndromes are associated with hantavirus infection:

• Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) occurs mainly in the Americas; it can rapidly progress from fever and flu-like symptoms to respiratory failure, pulmonary oedema, shock, and death. Case fatality is high, typically ranging from 20–40% and may reach up to 50%, particularly among older adults and people with comorbidities.
  
• Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) occurs mainly in Europe and Asia. It primarily affects the kidneys and blood vessels, potentially causing hypotension, bleeding disorders, and renal failure. Case fatality is generally lower, ranging from less than 1% to 15%, depending on the virus and setting.
  

Transmission: Most hantaviruses are associated with specific rodent reservoir species that carry the virus without apparent illness. Human-to-human transmission is not typically and has only been documented with Andes virus in South America, primarily among close and prolonged contacts. Exposure risk increases during activities that disturb rodent-contaminated environments, such as cleaning enclosed spaces, farming, forestry work, or sleeping in rodent-infested dwellings.

Symptoms usually begin 1–8 weeks after exposure and include fever, headache, myalgia, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Diagnosis can be difficult in the early stages because symptoms overlap with influenza, COVID-19, leptospirosis, dengue, viral pneumonia, and sepsis Confirmation relies on serology, especially IgM or rising IgG titres, and RT-PCR during acute illness.

Treatment: There is no licensed specific antiviral treatment or vaccine. Management is supportive, with close monitoring and treatment of respiratory, cardiac, and renal complications. Early recognition and access to intensive care when needed are essential to improve survival.

The risk to the general population is considered very low, while the risk for cruise ship passengers is assessed as moderate. Of note: Even if transmission from evacuated passengers occurs, widespread community spread is unlikely, as Andes virus (ANDV) does not transmit easily and infection prevention measures are in place.

Travel in areas where hanta virus is: Very low risk for travellers.

• Avoid contact with rodents and their feces (wear a mask and gloves when handling a dead/sick animal or cleaning contaminated surfaces). When camping/ecotourism, close tents and cabins to prevent rodents from entering and protect your food from contamination in airtight boxes.

Exposure to potentially rabid animals is common, especially during travel!

Prevention:

• In general, avoid contact with animals and do not feed them!
  
• Due to the global shortage of rabies immunoglobulins — crucial for unvaccinated individuals after potential rabies exposure — the Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine advises a more generous approach to recommending rabies vaccination before travel. A two-dose pre-exposure rabies vaccination for travel should be considered as a once-in-a-lifetime investment for ALL travellers!

Behavior after exposure: After an animal bite/scratch: immediately wash the wound with water and soap for 15 minutes, then disinfect and in any case visit a high-quality medical center for post-exposure vaccination as soon as possible!