Hawa ndio viongozi wa Afrika, nchi yake ina matatizo kibao yeye anaponda raha.
BREAKING: Congolese President Tshisekedi Stuck at Budapest Airport Over Ebola Concerns
President Félix Tshisekedi was held up at Budapest Airport after arriving with a delegation to attend the Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal, sources claim.
Hungarian airport authorities refused him entry, stating they had not been notified of the arrival and citing the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC as the reason.
In a twist, his brother, Christian Tshisekedi, is said to have landed in Hungary days earlier with friends, traveling via Brussels on multiple private jets and already on site for the match.
The incident has sparked questions about protocol and travel restrictions amid the health crisis.
Hawa ndio viongozi wa Afrika, nchi yake ina matatizo kibao yeye anaponda raha.
BREAKING: Congolese President Tshisekedi Stuck at Budapest Airport Over Ebola Concerns
President Félix Tshisekedi was held up at Budapest Airport after arriving with a delegation to attend the Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal, sources claim.
Hungarian airport authorities refused him entry, stating they had not been notified of the arrival and citing the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC as the reason.
In a twist, his brother, Christian Tshisekedi, is said to have landed in Hungary days earlier with friends, traveling via Brussels on multiple private jets and already on site for the match.
The incident has sparked questions about protocol and travel restrictions amid the health crisis.
Hawa ndio viongozi wa Afrika, nchi yake ina matatizo kibao yeye anaponda raha.
BREAKING: Congolese President Tshisekedi Stuck at Budapest Airport Over Ebola Concerns
President Félix Tshisekedi was held up at Budapest Airport after arriving with a delegation to attend the Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal, sources claim.
Hungarian airport authorities refused him entry, stating they had not been notified of the arrival and citing the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC as the reason.
In a twist, his brother, Christian Tshisekedi, is said to have landed in Hungary days earlier with friends, traveling via Brussels on multiple private jets and already on site for the match.
The incident has sparked questions about protocol and travel restrictions amid the health crisis.
Hii dunia rais.Félix Tshisekedi alikurupuka kwenda Budapest , juzi kakaribisha ugeni uliopeleka msaada wa mapesa kukabiliana na Ebola, je msafara huu wa wageni utapigwa karantini ?
May 29, 2026
President Félix Tshisekedi received a British delegation with £20 million to fight Ebola in the DRC.
A DRC Red Cross volunteer shares life-saving health information and talks with a community member about Ebola prevention. Supported by the IFRC, volunteers are going door-to-door to combat misinformation and encourage early medical care. Photo: Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa/Nairobi/Geneva, 21 May 2026 — The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is scaling up Ebola response efforts in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and neighbouring countries, and has launched a CHF 29 million regional emergency appeal.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo Red Cross Society, supported by the IFRC, has deployed 200 volunteers in Bunia and Rwampara health zones to support community engagement and frontline public health activities.
Red Cross volunteers are already going door-to-door in affected communities, helping families understand how Ebola spreads, countering misinformation, and encouraging early care-seeking when symptoms appear. A Red Cross radio programme is reinforcing these messages at a broader scale.
Families are also being advised not to touch or wash the bodies of suspected Ebola victims, as this remains one of the most common routes of transmission during outbreaks. On the first day of activities, Red Cross volunteers reached 645 families.
Ariel Kestens, IFRC Head of Delegation in Kinshasa, said: “The Bundibugyo strain is particularly concerning, as there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of treatments and vaccines developed for the Zaire strain.
The outbreak is spreading rapidly in areas where health systems are already fragile and where population movement across borders is frequent.
The priority now is to act quickly and work closely with communities, as the coming days are critical. We call on the international community to demonstrate solidarity and support the Red Cross Red Crescent’s lifesaving response.”
Gregoire Mateso, National President of the DRC RC Secretary General in Kinshasa, said: “People are afraid, but when Red Cross volunteers provide clear information and offer practical support, communities are more likely to seek treatment promptly and follow preventive measures. This clearly demonstrates that our volunteers have earned the trust of the communities they serve, and this trust is essential to stopping the spread of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease.”
The outbreak is spreading through areas already affected by insecurity, weak healthcare systems and constant population movement, complicating efforts to contain the virus.
Fears of wider regional spread are also growing. Uganda has already confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola cases linked to the ongoing outbreak, while neighbouring countries, including Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan, are stepping up readiness efforts in high-risk border areas.
Robert Kwesiga, Secretary General, Uganda Red Cross Society in Kampala, said: “We have placed our teams and volunteers on high alert and are retraining and preparing them for rapid deployment to support the national Ebola response. As Uganda Red Cross, our role is not only to support emergency health interventions, but also to stand with communities, strengthen public awareness, build trust, and help prevent further spread of the disease. We are working closely with the Ministry of Health and partners to ensure communities in high-risk areas receive timely support, accurate information, and lifesaving humanitarian assistance.”
Previous Ebola outbreaks have shown that the chain of transmission can be broken faster when communities trust the response, seek care early and have access to reliable information and support.
Urgent funding is needed to expand surveillance, deploy additional burial teams, deliver protective equipment and scale up frontline response efforts in affected communities and high-risk border areas
Hii dunia rais.Félix Tshisekedi alikurupuka kwenda Budapest , juzi kakaribisha ugeni uliopeleka msaada wa mapesa kukabiliana na Ebola, je msafara huu wa wageni utapigwa karantini ?
May 29, 2026
President Félix Tshisekedi received a British delegation with £20 million to fight Ebola in the DRC.
A DRC Red Cross volunteer shares life-saving health information and talks with a community member about Ebola prevention. Supported by the IFRC, volunteers are going door-to-door to combat misinformation and encourage early medical care. Photo: Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa/Nairobi/Geneva, 21 May 2026 — The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is scaling up Ebola response efforts in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and neighbouring countries, and has launched a CHF 29 million regional emergency appeal.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo Red Cross Society, supported by the IFRC, has deployed 200 volunteers in Bunia and Rwampara health zones to support community engagement and frontline public health activities.
Red Cross volunteers are already going door-to-door in affected communities, helping families understand how Ebola spreads, countering misinformation, and encouraging early care-seeking when symptoms appear. A Red Cross radio programme is reinforcing these messages at a broader scale.
Families are also being advised not to touch or wash the bodies of suspected Ebola victims, as this remains one of the most common routes of transmission during outbreaks. On the first day of activities, Red Cross volunteers reached 645 families.
Ariel Kestens, IFRC Head of Delegation in Kinshasa, said: “The Bundibugyo strain is particularly concerning, as there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of treatments and vaccines developed for the Zaire strain.
The outbreak is spreading rapidly in areas where health systems are already fragile and where population movement across borders is frequent.
The priority now is to act quickly and work closely with communities, as the coming days are critical. We call on the international community to demonstrate solidarity and support the Red Cross Red Crescent’s lifesaving response.”
Gregoire Mateso, National President of the DRC RC Secretary General in Kinshasa, said: “People are afraid, but when Red Cross volunteers provide clear information and offer practical support, communities are more likely to seek treatment promptly and follow preventive measures. This clearly demonstrates that our volunteers have earned the trust of the communities they serve, and this trust is essential to stopping the spread of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease.”
The outbreak is spreading through areas already affected by insecurity, weak healthcare systems and constant population movement, complicating efforts to contain the virus.
Fears of wider regional spread are also growing. Uganda has already confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola cases linked to the ongoing outbreak, while neighbouring countries, including Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan, are stepping up readiness efforts in high-risk border areas.
Robert Kwesiga, Secretary General, Uganda Red Cross Society in Kampala, said: “We have placed our teams and volunteers on high alert and are retraining and preparing them for rapid deployment to support the national Ebola response. As Uganda Red Cross, our role is not only to support emergency health interventions, but also to stand with communities, strengthen public awareness, build trust, and help prevent further spread of the disease. We are working closely with the Ministry of Health and partners to ensure communities in high-risk areas receive timely support, accurate information, and lifesaving humanitarian assistance.”
Previous Ebola outbreaks have shown that the chain of transmission can be broken faster when communities trust the response, seek care early and have access to reliable information and support.
Urgent funding is needed to expand surveillance, deploy additional burial teams, deliver protective equipment and scale up frontline response efforts in affected communities and high-risk border areas
KLM cancels Uganda flights due to Ebola restrictions
PUBLISHED: Mon, 01 Jun 2026 08:39:25 GMT
Alessandro Parodi
Reuters
KLM aircraft prepare for flights at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Schiphol, Netherlands, April 15, 2026. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo
June 1 , 2026 (Reuters) – KLM has cancelled flights to and from Entebbe airport near the Ugandan capital Kampala due to restrictions linked to an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, the Dutch airline said late on Friday.
KLM said that while the area was not currently seen as an active risk zone, it could no longer operate planned routes due to travel and entry measures some countries have introduced for people who recently travelled through Entebbe, including its crew.
Two flights between Amsterdam and Entebbe with layover in the Rwandan capital Kigali scheduled on Saturday and Monday have been cancelled, Flightradar24 data shows
“We’re continuing to monitor the situation and looking into what’s possible,” KLM said in a travel advisory
The WHO has declared the Ebola outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo version of the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern, although it does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency
The U.S. in May introduced enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions and public health measures to prevent the spread of the disease
Brussels Airlines said last week that the restrictions prohibited crew members from entering the U.S. if they had been in DRC or Uganda in the previous 21 days
The Belgian carrier said it would make “significant adjustments” to its crew scheduling to continue operating flights to Entebbe, Kinshasa, New York and Washington, adding it would maintain its flight schedule whenever possible
On May 20, an Air France flight from Paris to Detroit was diverted to Montreal after a passenger from DRC boarded “in error”, several news outlets reported
Emirates said on Thursday that travellers should check destination entry requirements before flying, citing Ebola-related measures in several countries
KLM yafuta safari za ndege za Uganda kutokana na tishio la Ebola
IMECHAPISHWA: Jumatatu, 01 Juni 2026 08:39:25 GMT
Alessandro Parodi
Reuters
KLM ilisema kwamba ingawa eneo hilo halikuonekana kama eneo hatari kwa sasa, haliwezi tena kuhudumia njia zilizopangwa kutokana na hatua za karantini za usafiri na kuingia ambazo baadhi ya nchi zimeanzisha kwa watu waliosafiri hivi karibuni kupitia Entebbe, Uganda wakiwemo wafanyakazi wake.
Takwimu za Flightradar24 zinaonyesha kuwa safari mbili za ndege kati ya Amsterdam na Entebbe zikiwa zimepangwa kufanyika Jumamosi na Jumatatu, huku safari za ndege kati ya Amsterdam na Entebbe zikiwa zimepangwa kufanyika Jumamosi na Jumatatu, zimefutwa.
"Tunaendelea kufuatilia hali hiyo na kuangalia kinachowezekana," KLM ilisema katika ushauri wa usafiri
WHO imetangaza mlipuko wa Ebola unaosababishwa na virusi vya Ebola aina ya Bundibugyo katika Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo (DRC) na Uganda kuwa dharura ya afya ya umma inayotia wasiwasi kimataifa, ingawa haifikii vigezo vya dharura ya janga.
Marekani mwezi Mei 2026 ilianzisha uchunguzi ulioboreshwa wa usafiri, vikwazo vya kuingia na hatua za afya ya umma ili kuzuia kuenea kwa ugonjwa huo.
Shirika la Ndege la Brussels lilisema wiki iliyopita kwamba vikwazo hivyo viliwakataza wafanyakazi kuingia Marekani ikiwa walikuwa nchini DRC au Uganda katika siku 21 zilizopita.
Shirika la ndege la Ubelgiji lilisema litafanya "marekebisho makubwa" katika ratiba ya wafanyakazi wake ili kuendelea kuendesha safari za ndege hadi Entebbe, Kinshasa, New York na Washington, na kuongeza kuwa litadumisha ratiba yake ya safari za ndege inapowezekana.
Mnamo Mei 20, 2026 ndege ya Air France kutoka Paris hadi Detroit ilielekezwa Montreal baada ya abiria kutoka DRC kupanda "kwa makosa", vyombo kadhaa vya habari viliripoti.
Emirates ilisema Alhamisi kwamba wasafiri wanapaswa kuangalia mahitaji ya kuingia maeneo yao kabla ya kusafiri kwa ndege, ikitaja hatua zinazohusiana na Ebola katika nchi kadhaa
Safari za mizigo Air Tanzania kutoka Dar es Salaam hadi Kinshasa. Video Air Tanzania, tunafurahi kukupelekea mizigo kwa ndege yetu aina ya Boeing 767-300 Freighter hadi Kinshasa.
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda
Disease Outbreak News
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda
29 May 2026
Situation at a glance
The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda continues to evolve rapidly, with increasing case numbers, geographic spread, and ongoing cross-border transmission. As of 27 May, a total of 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths among suspected cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of 29 May, a total of 134 confirmed cases, including nine in Uganda, with 18 deaths among the confirmed cases, have been reported across both countries. This is an additional 49 confirmed cases, eight confirmed deaths, 160 suspected cases and 47 suspected deaths since the last update on 21 May. In addition, there is one confirmed case, an individual from the United States of America, who had treated patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is currently receiving care in Germany. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, transmission is concentrated in Ituri, as well as North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, with challenges in contact tracing and follow-up, insecurity, inadequate isolation, care, and referral systems for patients complicating response efforts. National authorities, in collaboration with WHO and partners, are implementing response measures including deployment of rapid response teams, delivery of medical supplies, strengthened surveillance, laboratory confirmation, infection prevention and control, the set-up of safe and optimized treatment centers, and community engagement.
Description of the situation
Since the last Disease Outbreak News was published on 21 May 2026, the number of suspected and confirmed cases has increased rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In total, 906 suspected cases, including 223 deaths among suspected cases have been reported from Democratic Republic of the Congo; and 134 confirmed cases (nine in Uganda), including 18 deaths (one in Uganda) (CFR 14%) have been reported from the two countries as of 29 May. Additionally, a medical doctor from the United States of America who was exposed as part of their work caring for patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo tested positive on 17 May and was transported to Germany for treatment and care.
Figure 1. Distribution of suspected and confirmed cases of Bundibugyo virus disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, as of 29 May 2026
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Since the last update dated 21 May, an additional 42 confirmed cases including eight deaths and 160 suspected cases including 47 deaths have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of 27 May 2026, a total of 125 confirmed cases including 17 deaths (CFR 14%); and 906 suspected cases including 223 deaths have been reported from 13 health zones (HZ) in Ituri (7/36 HZ), North Kivu (5/35 HZ) and South Kivu Provinces (1/34 HZ) [1]. Sixteen confirmed cases have been reported among health and care workers to date. Epidemiological and laboratory investigations are ongoing to reclassify all suspected cases and deaths reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The outbreak remains concentrated in Ituri Province, which accounts for 88% (110) of confirmed cases. The highest confirmed case numbers in Ituri Province are reported from Bunia (37 cases), Rwampara (33 cases), Mongbwalu (20 cases), and Nyankunde (10 cases) HZ. Of the 17 deaths among confirmed cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 10 were male (nine were over 15 years old and one under 15) and seven were female (five over 15 years old and two under 15).
A total of 774 samples have been collected as of 27 May. Of these, 648 samples (84%) have been analyzed, with 125 testing positive, representing a test positivity rate (TPR) of 19.2%. This is likely an underestimation of the actual positivity rate as over 100 samples are still awaiting testing and have been sent to Kinshasa for further analysis.
As of 27 May, 2635 contacts have been listed in Ituri and North Kivu provinces.
Security incidents against health facilities, and community resistance, have recently emerged as major operational challenges in Ituri Province, with three recent incidents reported in Mongbwalu and Rwampara HZ. These create additional risks for undetected transmission, disrupt outbreak response efforts, and reinforce the need to strengthen community protection and engagement activities
Figure 2: Number of confirmed cases (n=125) and deaths (n=17) by date of reporting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as of 27 May 2026
Source: Ministry of Health, Democratic Republic of the Congo
NB: Newly reported confirmed cases/deaths may be part of the back log of samples waiting to be tested and therefore not necessarily newly acquired infections.
Uganda
Since the last update dated 21 May, an additional seven confirmed cases have been reported from Uganda. As of 29 May 2026, a total of nine confirmed cases including one death have been reported in Kampala (n=8) and Wakiso (n=1), Uganda. Recent cases include a Ugandan driver who transported the first reported case, a Congolese health worker with linkage to the index case, a Congolese woman who travelled to Uganda for medical care, and two Ugandan health workers linked to earlier confirmed case.
As of 26 May, a total of 436 contacts linked to the cases have been identified and are under follow-up. These include close household contacts and hospital contacts where the cases were hospitalized.
Exposure risks are associated with healthcare settings and cross-border movements.
Figure 3: Number of confirmed cases (n=9) and deaths (n=1) by date of reporting in Uganda as of 29 May 2026
Source: Ministry of Health, Uganda
Epidemiology
Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) is a severe and often fatal form of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the Orthoebolavirus species. It is a zoonotic disease, with fruit bats suspected to be the natural reservoir. Human infection is thought to occur through close contact with the blood or secretions of infected wildlife, such as bats or non-human primates, and it subsequently spreads from person to person through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces or items. Transmission is particularly amplified in health-care settings when infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are inadequate, and during unsafe burial practices involving direct contact with the deceased.
The incubation period for BVD ranges from 2 to 21 days, and individuals are not infectious until symptom onset. Early symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, are non-specific, which complicates clinical diagnosis and can delay detection. These symptoms then progress to gastrointestinal symptoms, organ dysfunction, and in some cases haemorrhagic manifestations. Case fatality rates in the past two BVD outbreaks, reported in Uganda and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2007 and 2012, have ranged from approximately 30% to 50%.
Differentiating BVD from other endemic febrile illnesses such as malaria is challenging without laboratory confirmation using PCR or antigen/antibody-based assays. Control relies on rapid case identification, isolation and care, contact tracing, safe burials, and strong community engagement, as no approved vaccines or specific treatments currently exist for BVD.
Public health response
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, in collaboration with WHO and partners, are implementing comprehensive public health measures. WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 28 May to support the ongoing response.
On 22 May 2026, WHO assessed the risk of the outbreak of BVD to be very high at the national level in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, high at the regional level, and low at the global level. The risk assessment will be continuously reassessed in the coming days based on available and shared information.
On 19 May 2026, the Director-General of WHO convened the first meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee, which issued the temporary recommendations on 22 May 2026 to States Parties. These recommendations underscore the importance of coordinated outbreak control, enhanced cross‑border collaboration, and sustained surveillance and preparedness to prevent further regional spread and ensure an effective public health response
WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda based on the currently available information. WHO continues to closely monitor and, where necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this event.
WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda based on the currently available information. WHO continues to closely monitor and, where necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this event.
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