Ebola disease in DRC and Uganda

Current situation

The DRC Ministry of Health has declared this to be the country’s 17th Ebola disease outbreak. Uganda has also confirmed cases who had travelled from DRC. 

On 17 May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations.

Health authorities in both DRC and Uganda are implementing public health measures, with support from the WHO.

The risk to Australia is low, noting: 

• the outbreak is geographically concentrated in eastern DRC, but occurring in a complex epidemiological and humanitarian context
• transmission most often occurs through contact with infected body fluids or items contaminated with infected body fluids, reducing the likelihood of casual importation.
• the WHO is coordinating a multi-agency effort to respond in affected areas, including surveillance, contact tracing, and deployment of personnel.

We are working closely with the WHO and other Australian Government agencies to monitor the situation. 

We will continue to provide updates as circumstances change.

Australian preparedness

Nobody has ever been diagnosed with Ebola disease in Australia. 

Australia has strong border health measures to screen for people who may be symptomatic with very serious communicable diseases like Ebola disease. 

If travelling to countries where Ebola disease occurs:

• be aware of official travel advice before leaving Australia
• do not travel to areas with outbreaks
• avoid contact with:
  • people with Ebola disease or their body fluids – alive or dead
  • people who are unwell or their body fluids
  • objects contaminated with blood or body fluids from anybody who is unwell.
• don’t interact with wild animals (such as fruit bats, monkeys or apes) – including hunting or eating bush meat
• practise good personal hygiene, including hand hygiene
• practise safe sex.

Learn more

See more information about Ebola, including advice to public health units, health professionals and organisations managing aid workers. 

See our latest situation update.