JAPAN PERSPECTIVE

Tokyo, May 21, 2026. The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo is crossing new geographical and political boundaries. A case has been confirmed in the South Kivu province, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter located in the Ituri province — a region under the control of the Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 rebels backed by Rwanda. The patient, 28 years old, has died and was buried according to sanitary protocols, according to the Alliance. He had traveled from Kisangani, in the north of the country, but his exact movements remain unknown.

The epidemic dynamics are worrying experts. As of May 1, the Congolese Ministry of Health reported 670 suspected cases, 61 confirmed, and 160 presumed deaths. Jane Halton, president of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), warned in Geneva that the official numbers probably only represent the 'tip of the iceberg.' The WHO declared the epidemic a public health emergency of international concern over the weekend — a threshold reserved for the most severe crises.

The strain in question is the Bundibugyo variant, for which no vaccine is available. The CEPI is evaluating vaccine candidates and Jane Halton estimated that reaching the goal of a safe and effective vaccine in 100 days would be 'a significant effort.' This factor distinguishes this epidemic from those linked to the Zaire strain, covered by already approved vaccines.

The spread beyond Congolese borders is mobilizing governments. Uganda has confirmed two cases on its territory and announced the suspension of flights to the DRC within 48 hours of May 1. Washington has imposed on US citizens who have stayed in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past three weeks to transit exclusively through Dulles Airport for enhanced controls. Ugandan Minister of Information Chris Baryomunsi judged that the US 'overreacted,' pointing out that no local transmission has been documented in his country.

The funding of the response highlights the imbalances of international solidarity. The UK has committed up to £20 million (27 million dollars). The US, which had allocated around $600 million to the response during the 2018-2020 epidemic, has so far promised only $23 million. Humanitarian workers on the ground report a lack of basic supplies, which they attribute to cuts in foreign aid that have weakened local health systems and epidemic surveillance.

Community distrust complicates the sanitary response.