EU response to Ebola

What is it?

The Ebola virus disease, formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever is a severe and often fatal illness in humans. It is caused by a zoonotic virus that spills over from animals (to humans, spreading then further in the human population through direct and indirect (e.g. bedding, clothing) contact with bodily fluids of infected people.

There are several species of the virus, but 2 have been responsible for the most recent major outbreaks:

• Ebola virus (EBOV) causing Ebola virus disease (EVD)
• Sudan virus (SUDV) causing Sudan virus disease (SVD)

While there are licensed vaccines and therapeutics for EVD, there is no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo Ebola species. Early intensive supportive care including rehydration and treatment of specific symptoms can improve survival. Seeking early care can be lifesaving.

In mid-May 2026, an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Facts & figures

17^th Ebola outbreak declared in DRC in May 2026.

The EU has significantly contributed to the international Ebola response through a range of measures, ranging from prevention measures to research funding.

Why is this important?

In the affected region the disease, besides the dramatic toll taken on people's lives, the diseassse can have a devastating impact on:

• security
• economy
• healthcare system (indirect excess mortality)

During some of the larger outbreaks, the EU mobilises various resources to help Ebola patients, survivors and their families,  contain the spread of the disease and limit wider impacts of the outbreak.

Health and care workers have frequently been infected while treating patients with EVD. This occurs through close contact with patients when infection control precautions are not strictly practiced. Burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the body of a person who has died can also contribute to the transmission of Ebola disease.

Recent Ebola outbreaks

To date, since the first registered outbreak in 1976, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has registered  17 outbreaks. The  17^th outbreak in the  DR Congo was declared on 15^th May 2026.  

The outbreak is worsening an already dire humanitarian situation in eastern DR Congo, where renewed conflict has left over 5.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) with limited access to:

• food
• clean water
• health services 

How are we helping?

The EU response to outbreaks, including for EVD, is done in a multi-level and integrated way, through various partners and mechanisms, combining the humanitarian emergency response with the additional engagement of the EU Member States if needed.

The support provided by the EU facilitates the direct response by: 

• case management
• surveillance
• coordination
• logistics
• psychosocial care
• safe and dignified burials 

The EU is also helping to contain the transmission by:

• immunisation
• early-warning and risk communication
• community engagement activities

Overall, the EU has provided EUR 81.2 million for the humanitarian response in the Great Lakes region since the beginning of 2026, including for the health-related response to infectious disease outbreaks. In addition, €20.7 million were made available for Uganda, of which €2.7 million are dedicated to health support.

_{*This amount will be part of a request for additional reinforcement to be submitted to the budgetary authority later this year}