FRANCE PERSPECTIVE

Paris, May 18, 2026. The World Health Organization (WHO) triggered its second-highest international alert level on May 17 in response to the Ebola outbreak in the Ituri province, in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. According to figures provided by Congolese Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba, 91 deaths are likely linked to the virus, with approximately 350 suspected cases reported. Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya reported 104 deaths and 395 suspected cases on Monday, May 18, illustrating the rapid spread of the outbreak.

What sets this outbreak apart from previous ones is primarily the strain involved: Bundibugyo, a rare variant that has caused only two global epidemics before this one — in Uganda in 2007 and in the DRC in 2012. There is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain, which has a mortality rate of 30-50%. The available Ebola vaccines are only effective against the Zaïre strain, responsible for the deadliest outbreaks. Care relies exclusively on early diagnosis, isolation of patients, and contact tracing.

Virologist Jean-Jacques Muyembe, co-discoverer of Ebola in 1976, warned AFP: 'This is an outbreak that will spread very quickly, especially since it is occurring in a densely populated province.' Le Monde notes that the alert was triggered too late — officially declared only on May 15 — and that the epicenter, located in the mining town of Mongbwalu, is fueled by intense migration flows linked to gold mining activity. The province has been under a state of siege since 2021, making it difficult for healthcare teams to access certain areas.

The virus has already crossed the borders of Ituri. A confirmed case was reported in Goma, a city of over a million people under the control of the M23 armed group, more than 15 hours from the initial outbreak site. Two deaths have been reported in Uganda. The Africa CDC estimates the risk of spread to neighboring countries as 'high'.

In response to this situation, the United States has announced health screenings for travelers from affected areas at airports and visa restrictions for foreign nationals who have transited through the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days. An American citizen, tested positive in the DRC, will be transferred to Germany for treatment. Washington, which officially withdrew from the WHO in 2025, is acting outside the multilateral framework.