2026 Current Ebola Situation
Page originally published 5/26/2026.
National and global public health partners are working together to assess and care for people in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda who are experiencing an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo disease.
The American who tested positive for Ebola and other Americans at high risk are being moved to Germany for treatment and care. Enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions, and public health measures have been put in place to prevent Ebola virus disease from entering the United States amid ongoing outbreaks in East and Central Africa. Certain travelers who were recently in DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan are temporarily restricted from entering the United States.
To date, no cases of Ebola disease have been confirmed in the United States because of this outbreak. The overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low. Health partners will continue to coordinate closely to monitor the situation and provide support.
On this page:
What is Ebola?
- Ebola disease is caused by an infection with one of several orthoebolaviruses, which are mostly found in sub-Saharan Africa. There are 4 types of orthoebolaviruses that cause illness in people. Ebola disease was first identified in 1976 after an outbreak in DRC. Since then, these viruses have periodically emerged from an unknown animal host and infected people in several African countries.
Does Ebola spread person-to-person?
- Yes. People can get Ebola disease through contact with the body fluids of an infected sick or dead person.
Where is the Ebola outbreak happening?
- This outbreak is happening in remote areas of the northeast DRC. Uganda confirmed 2 cases of Bundibugyo virus disease in people traveling from DRC that were not linked to each other. To date, no local spread has been reported in Uganda.
What is the risk to people in the United States?
- There are currently no cases of Ebola in the United States and the risk of this outbreak spreading to United States is low at this time. The viruses that cause Ebola disease pose little risk to travelers or the American public.
- Healthcare providers and family members caring for someone with Ebola disease without proper infection control methods have the highest risk of infection.
County of San Diego
- Ebola Virus Disease (Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Contact the Epidemiology Unit at (619) 692-8499, or send an e-mail, for more information.
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