Ebola outbreak 2026: What is MSF doing and how can I help?

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), MSF teams are mobilising to help contain the sudden surge in Ebola cases.

So far, there have been more than 240 cases and 80 deaths reported in the country's eastern province of Ituri, with one case confirmed across the border in Uganda. The outbreak has now been confirmed as the rarer Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus which kills up to 40 percent of those infected. There is no approved vaccine and no approved treatment.

The World Health Organization has now declared the situation to be a "public health emergency of international concern".

How is MSF responding to the Ebola outbreak?

Right now, MSF is mobilising teams of medical, logistical and support staff with experience in responding to Ebola. We are also preparing to dispatch essential supplies to support large-scale interventions.

• Beginning on 9 May, MSF received alerts of deaths from a 'suspected viral haemorrhagic fever' spreading since the start of April. We sent a team to investigate with the Ministry of Health.
• MSF teams are coordinating with local healthcare authorities to assess the medical needs across Ituri. We are also in contact with the Ugandan Ministry of Health and standby to support.
• MSF will work to ensure strict infection prevention measures are in place for existing healthcare projects in the DRC. We must protect patients and staff, and ensure they can continue to access medical services.  

MSF teams are often among the first humanitarian responders on the ground for one key reason: because we are already there.

What is Ebola?

Ebola is a rare but deadly virus, which can kill up to 90 percent of those infected. 

It can be difficult to diagnose because the early symptoms, like a fever and sore throat, are common. To confirm an Ebola diagnosis, special laboratory tests need to be carried out.

Ebola is highly infectious and can be transmitted from both animals and humans. Human-to-human transmission happens through close contact with blood, secretions, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals. This is why people have to wear full personal protective equipment to prevent catching or spreading the virus.

There are currently four types of Ebola that can cause illness in people. There is an approved treatment and a preventive vaccine for the Zaire strain of Ebola. The current Ebola outbreak reported in the DRC is caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment.  

Medical teams can give patients the best chance of survival by helping to manage the symptoms of the virus, and treating other diseases the patient may have.

Once a patient recovers from Ebola, they’re immune to the strain of the virus they contracted. 

Responding to Ebola in West Africa

Between late 2013 and 2016, an outbreak of Ebola in West Africa became a major international emergency. The severity of the epidemic saw MSF launch one of the largest emergency operations in its history.

MSF responded in the three most affected countries - Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia – and also to the spread of cases to Nigeria, Senegal and Mali. At the peak of the epidemic, MSF employed nearly 4,000 national staff and more than 325 international staff who ran Ebola management centres as well as conducted surveillance, contact tracing, health promotion and provided psychological support.

MSF admitted 10,310 patients to its Ebola management centres of which 5,201 were confirmed Ebola cases, representing one-third of all WHO-confirmed cases.