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.