How did Italy respond to a suspected Ebola case among returning aid workers, and what is the current status of the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda—including case numbers, the specific viral strain involved, and the availability of vaccines or treatments?

The Italian Health Ministry quickly tested both individuals, and both tests returned negative for the Ebola virus . In an official statement, the ministry stressed that the risk of Ebola in Italy "remains very low" . No Ebola case was confirmed in Italy from this incident.

Current Status of the Ebola Outbreak in DRC and Uganda

Case Numbers (as of May 24, 2026, per DRC and Uganda Ministries of Health)

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):

• 904 suspected cases, 101 confirmed cases
• 119 suspected deaths, 10 confirmed deaths
• Cases have been confirmed in Ituri, Nord-Kivu, and most recently Sud-Kivu provinces

Uganda:

• 47 suspected cases, 32 confirmed cases
• 24 suspected deaths, 10 confirmed deaths

Note: Earlier in 2025, Uganda also faced a separate Sudan virus outbreak (declared Jan 30, 2025, declared over April 26, 2025) that involved 14 cases . The current figures above reflect the ongoing cross-border outbreak.

Viral Strain

The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus (Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense) . This is a rare strain of Ebola—first identified in 2007 in Uganda's Bundibugyo District—and is distinct from the more common Zaire ebolavirus . The CDC issued a Health Alert Network advisory on May 19, 2026, noting this is a cross-border outbreak affecting both the DRC and Uganda .

Vaccine and Treatment Availability

• No licensed vaccines are currently available for the Bundibugyo strain . Existing Ebola vaccines (such as Ervebo, which targets Zaire ebolavirus) do not protect against Bundibugyo virus .
• No targeted treatments are currently licensed for this strain . Response efforts rely on supportive care, infection prevention and control measures, contact tracing, and isolation .
• The lack of a readily available vaccine and limited treatment options are key factors driving the scale of the outbreak .