East Africa tightens borders as Ebola outbreak spreads beyond DRC
A Congolese health worker screens travellers at the Grande Barrière border crossing between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in Goma on May 18, 2026, as authorities tighten Ebola checks following the Bundibugyo outbreak.
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda are racing to contain a fresh outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, as the East African Community (EAC) urged neighbouring states to tighten border surveillance and coordinate responses to prevent wider spread.
The DRC said on Monday that 530 cases had been detected in Ituri Province, with 106 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health. Uganda reported two cases, both involving Congolese nationals from Ituri, one of whom later died.
