The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), citing fears of regional spread driven by cross-border movement and weak health systems.

The declaration, announced on Tuesday, followed recommendations from the agency’s Emergency Consultative Group (ECG), which reviewed the evolving epidemiological situation, regional risks and response capacity in affected areas.

Under Article 3 of the Africa CDC statute, the declaration empowers the continental health agency to coordinate and support member states in responding to major public health emergencies.

As of 18 May 2026, authorities had recorded about 395 suspected cases and 106 related deaths linked to the outbreak in the DRC, particularly in the Mongwalu, Rwampara and Bunia health zones.

Uganda has so far reported two confirmed cases and one death in Kampala.

Africa CDC warned that the outbreak poses a high risk of regional transmission due to intense cross-border movement, mining-related migration, insecurity in affected communities and weak infection prevention systems.

The agency also expressed concern over community deaths occurring outside formal healthcare facilities and the proximity of affected areas to neighbouring Rwanda and South Sudan.

Director-General of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, said the declaration was intended to mobilise rapid continental action.

“Today, we declare this PHECS to mobilise our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to act swiftly and decisively,” Mr Kaseya said.

“The confirmation of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus in interconnected countries reminds us once again that Africa’s health security is indivisible. We must act early, act together, and act based on science.”

He said the declaration would strengthen regional coordination, accelerate the deployment of emergency responders, reinforce laboratory and surveillance systems and improve preparedness in neighbouring countries considered vulnerable to transmission.

Africa CDC and the World Health Organisation are jointly coordinating the response through an Incident Management Support Team based on the “4 Ones” model previously used during mpox and cholera outbreaks — one team, one plan, one budget and one monitoring framework.

Africa CDC said it has already deployed specialists in epidemiology, infection prevention, laboratory systems, logistics and emergency coordination, while internally releasing $2 million to support the response.

The agency also raised concerns over the limited availability of approved vaccines and treatments specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

Professor Salim Abdool Karim, chair of the ECG, said the outbreak’s cross-border nature and operational challenges required urgent coordinated action.

Ebola is a severe viral disease spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated materials. Health authorities say early detection, rapid isolation, contact tracing and safe burials remain critical in containing transmission.