SitRep 006

Report date 2026-05-20

Published

May 20, 2026

Caution

Machine translation from the French original with Google Gemini. No person has reviewed it.

Every number on this page was compared against the French transcription, and the page is published only if they match. The wording carries no such check. Before relying on any figure, read it in the original PDF.

Provinces affected ITURI, NORD-KIVU

Health Zones affected ITURI: Mongbwalu, Rwampara, Bunia, Nyankunde, NORD KIVU: Goma, Katwa and Butembo

Reporting date 20 May 2026

Publication date 21 May 2026

[PHOTO]

Distribution of confirmed cases and deaths by health zone and Province
Provinces affected Health zones with confirmed cases New confirmed cases New confirmed deaths New probable cases New suspected cases New contacts listed Recovered of the day
Ituri Bunia 5 0 ND 35 0 0
Ituri Rwampara 3 0 ND 25 286 0
Ituri Mungbwalu 0 0 ND 8 0 0
Ituri Bambu 1 0 ND 1 128 0
Ituri Nyankunde 3 0 ND 9 0 0
Ituri Subtotal 12 0 0 78 414 0
Nord-Kivu Goma 0 0 ND ND ND 0
Nord-Kivu Butembo 0 0 ND ND ND 0
Nord-Kivu Katwa 1 0 ND ND ND 0
Nord-Kivu Subtotal 1 0 0 0 0 0
Total Total 13 0 0 78 414 0

High-level meeting held by the Minister of Communication with the Minister of Health, the DG of Africa CDC, Muyembe and the DG of the INSP (National Institute of Public Health)

I. CONTEXT

Ituri province is located in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and shares a long border with Uganda and South Sudan. For more than two decades, it has been facing a chronic humanitarian crisis linked to armed conflicts and recurrent displacements of populations. It has an estimated population of more than 8 million inhabitants, among whom are more than one million internally displaced persons. In September 2018, this province was affected by an Ebola virus disease outbreak that was raging in the neighbouring province of Nord-Kivu. The health zone of Mongbwalu is one of the 36 health zones of the province of Ituri. Considered as the starting point of the outbreak, it is located in the territory of Djugu where several armed groups operate. It is located 70 km from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, with frequent population movements towards Uganda. This locality has the particularity of having several work sites that attract populations coming from other territories of the province and from neighbouring provinces.

II. HISTORY OF THE OUTBREAK

On the date of 05 May 2026, social networks reported a surge of deaths of unknown cause with nearly 50 deaths already recorded in the health zone of Mongbwalu. After confirmation of this alert, the Chief Medical Officer of the Mongbwalu health zone shared the preliminary investigation report on 09 May 2026. On 11 May 2026, provincial health authorities organised an emergency meeting and decided to deploy rapid intervention teams to Mongbwalu and to Rwampara, which had reported suspected viral haemorrhagic fever deaths in patients admitted to the Centre médical Evangélique de Rwampara, originating from Mongbwalu. Investigations conducted on 12 May 2026, simultaneously in the health zones of Mongbwalu and Rwampara by the Rapid Intervention Teams of the Provincial Health Division (DPS) of Ituri, revealed that most suspected patients or deaths had fever, headaches, vomiting, and intense physical asthenia. Deaths occurred 2 to 3 days after disease onset with a clinical picture of haematemesis, epistaxis or blackish vomiting. During investigations in the health zone of Rwampara, 20 samples were taken from suspected cases or deaths. The majority of persons sampled came from the Mongbwalu health zone. Preliminary tests performed at the Bunia Laboratory were all negative for Zaire Ebola, dengue, Rotavirus, Cholera, Malaria, Yersinia pestis, mpox and COVID-19. These samples were sent to the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in Kinshasa for additional testing. On the date of 14 May 2026, 13 cases of these 20 samples were tested and 8 were found positive for non-Zaire Ebola virus disease at INRB Kinshasa. On 15 May 2026, sequencing of the positive samples allowed identification of the BUNDIBUGYO strain, which enabled the Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare (MSHPS) to officially declare the 17th outbreak of Ebola virus disease. Ebola virus disease (Bundibugyo strain), thus marking the 17th outbreak in the country’s history On the date of 17 May 2026, in consultation with member states, the Director-General of WHO deemed that the event occurring in the DRC and Uganda met the definition criteria set out in Article 1 of the IHR, and declared that this constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern while specifying that the risk at the global level is low but high at the regional level. On 18 May 2026, the Director General of Africa CDC officially declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) under Article 3 of its statutes. This declaration followed an emergency meeting of the Africa CDC advisory group, which considered that the worsening outbreak constituted an acute risk to continental health security. Consequently, the continental Incident Management Support Team was activated to provide support to affected and at-risk Member States in response and preparedness.

[FIGURE: TIMELINE OF EVENTS]

II. UPDATE ON THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION

Thirteen (13) new confirmed cases, including 1 case in Nord-Kivu (ZS (health zone) of Katwa) and 12 in Ituri (Rwampara: 3, Bunia: 5, Nyakunde: 3 and Bambu: 1). A new affected zone in the province of Ituri, namely that of Bambu. The cumulative total of confirmed cases is 64 cases, including 60 in the DPS Ituri (8 ZS affected) and 4 in Nord-Kivu (3 ZS affected). Listing of 414 new contacts, including 286 in the ZS of Rwampara and 128 in the ZS of Bambu. No new confirmed death. The cumulative total of deaths is 6, including 2 in Nord-Kivu and 4 in Ituri.

III. RESPONSE ACTIONS

COORDINATION

• Holding of a coordination meeting chaired by the Deputy Incident Manager, Head of the Provincial Health Division of Nord-Kivu (Beni) and Ituri (Bunia). • Holding of the partners’ mobilisation meeting on alignment with the response plan. • Elaboration of the provincial operational plan for the Ebola Virus Disease incident in the DPS Ituri and Nord-Kivu.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE

Support to the ZS of Katwa and Goma in in-depth investigation and listing of contacts around confirmed cases. Setting up of an alert management system (popularisation of the civil protection toll-free number). Start of contact monitoring around the confirmed case of the ZS of Goma and activation underway in the ZS of Ituri. Alert note from the corresponding PoE of Ntoronko/Uganda on the risk of contamination by Congolese residing in Uganda returning from mourning venues of their deceased brothers in the DRC on the shores of Lake Albert. In-depth investigations and listing of contacts around 4 confirmed cases in Nord Kivu and 58 cases in Ituri.

Table I. Summary of the alert situation as of 20 May 2026
Alert follow-up Alerts carried forward (19/05) New alerts (20/05) Total alerts of the day (20/05) Living alerts Deceased alerts Alerts investigated Alerts not investigated Alerts validated Alerts invalidated Suspected cases sampled Suspected cases not sampled Suspected cases isolated Suspected cases not isolated
Bunia 0 39 39 31 8 35 4 35 0 11 24 30 1
Rwampara 4 31 35 34 1 35 0 25 10 14 11 25 0
Nyankunde 0 9 9 9 0 9 0 9 0 9 0 9 0
Mongbwalu 0 9 9 6 3 8 1 8 1 7 1 6 0
Table II. Update on the epidemiological situation of MVE in ITURI province as of 20/ 05 /2026
Alert follow-up Alerts carried forward (19/05) New alerts (20/05) Total alerts of the day (20/05) Living alerts Deceased alerts Alerts investigated Alerts not investigated Alerts validated Alerts invalidated Suspected cases sampled Suspected cases not sampled Suspected cases isolated Suspected cases not isolated
Nizi ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
Lita ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
Fataki ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
Logo ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
Aungba ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
Rethy ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
Komanda 0 2 2 2 1 (com) 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 0
Bambu 0 1 1 0 1 (com) 1 0 1 0 0 1 (décès) 0 0
Mangala ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
Lolwa 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
Table III. Summary of contact identification and follow-up as of 20 May 2026
Health zones Daily follow-up Carried forward from 19/05/2026 Daily follow-up New contacts on 20/05/2026 Daily follow-up Contacts to follow up today Daily follow-up Contacts seen Daily follow-up Discharged 21 Days Daily follow-up Became Suspects Follow-up rate Total not seen Reason for not seen Simple Absence Reason for not seen Lost to follow-up (≥72 hours) Reason for not seen Never seen Reason for not seen Refusal Reason for not seen Displaced Reason for not seen Reco did not visit Remaining to follow up the following day
Bunia 203 0 203 0 0 0 0% 203 0 0 0 0 0 200 203
Rwampara 335 286 621 83 0 0 14 538 0 0 0 0 0 538 621
Nyankunde 133 0 133 0 0 0 0% 133 0 0 0 0 0 133 133
Mongbwalu 176 0 176 0 0 0 0% 176 0 0 0 0 0 176 176
Bambu 0 128 128 0% 128 0 0 0 0 0 128 128
Total 847 414 1261 83 0 0 7% 1178 0 0 0 0 0 1178 1261
Table IV. Distribution of suspected and confirmed cases and deaths from Ebola virus disease in the health zones of DPS Ituri and Nord-Kivu as of 20 May 2026
Provinces Health zones No. of suspected cases No. of suspected deaths No. of Confirmed cases No. of contacts
Ituri Mongbwalu 317 80 13 176
Ituri Rwampara 179 44 24 621
Ituri Bunia 125 31 11 203
Ituri Nyankunde 28 5 5 133
Ituri BAMBU 2 0 1 128
Ituri Echantillons sans fiche 0 0 4 0
Nord-Kivu Goma 0 0 1 N
Nord-Kivu Katwa 13 0 1 ND
Nord-Kivu Butembo 7 0 1 ND
Total Total 671 160 61 1261

*These data are subject to change after harmonization of data at different levels of the health pyramid with the incident management system.

Surveillance at Points of Entry and Points of Control (PoE/PoC) Activation and operationalisation of PoC Dele (ZS Rwampara) and Mudzibala (ZS Bunia) with support from IOM. Identification of resources by PoE/PoC (124 providers for 10 PoC). Provision of 120 plastic chairs, 60 boxes of gloves and other PCI (infection prevention and control) materials (liquid soaps, etc.) by IOM. State of play of the PoEs of Kasindi, Nobili and evaluation of the PoCs of Eringeti, Mavivi Airport, PK5 and Nzuma.

Table V. Data summary (PoE/PoC) of 20/05/2026
Health zone PoE/PoC Tot v passed Tot v screened Total handwashing Tot v sensitised Tot alerts Tot refusals Handwashing Tot refusals screening
NIZI PONT NIZI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BUNIA AEROPORT 189 189 189 189 0 0 0
BUNIA MUDZIBALA 355 355 355 355 0 0 0
BUNIA PONT SIMBILIABO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
RWAMPARA PONT SHARI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
RWAMPARA DELE 102 102 102 102 0 0 0
RWAMPARA CHAI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TCHOMIA TCHOMIA 105 105 105 0 0 0 0
TCHOMIA NYAMUSASI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TCHOMIA KASENYI 186 186 186 186 0 0 0
TCHOMIA MANDJE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NYAKUNDE MARABO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NYAKUNDE ENTREE NYAK. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NYAKUNDE SOTA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NYAKUNDE PONT TALOLO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MUNGWALU POIPO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MUNGWALU MAHIDEDE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MUNGWALU PONT PLITO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MUNGWALU PONT KIRIKOU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ARU OFOO 195 195 195 195 0 0 0
ARU ODHUMONI 146 146 146 146 0 0 0
ARU OMBAYI 253 253 253 253 0 0 0
ARU SANS PLAINTE 124 124 124 124 0 0 0
MAHAGI ANZIDHA 184 184 184 184 0 0 0
TOTAL TOTAL 1881 1881 1881 1881 0 0 0

LABORATORY

Samples received on the date of 20/05/2026 • Samples analysed: 35 • Positives of the day: 12 (Rwampara 3; Bunia 5; Nyakunde 3 and Bambu-, mine 1) • Negatives of the day: 13 • Invalids of the day: 10 • Samples carried forward: 49 • Samples received: 92 • Total samples to analyse: 141 • 102 samples sent to Kinshasa on 20/05/2026 for sequencing.

Results as of 20 May 2026 (RADIONE) • Cumulative samples received: 218 • Resamplings (control): 3, of which 2 positive and 1 not analysed • Cumulative samples analysed: 134 • Cumulative positives: 64 16 samples received at the Beni Laboratory for which 7 already forwarded to Goma, including 4 arrived at INRB Goma and 3 others en route; 9 samples are still kept at INRB Beni awaiting transport for shipment to the analysis laboratory

RISK COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (RCCE)

• Dissemination of the message from the Military Governor of the Province on compliance with control measures against the Communication plan currently being drafted • Production of provisional communication schedules • Production of two official messages, one for preparedness and the other for response • Communication session for provincial government cadres and officers during morning roll call; • Briefing of Presicodesa on strengthening SBC, CREC, alert escalation and community feedback collection; • Holding of the first meeting for analysis of rumours and community feedback. • Advocacy with the Mayor of the City of Bunia to prohibit the organisation of funeral wakes during this period of the MVE (Ebola virus disease) response • Advocacy with the Sous Proved EPST Bunia to cascade the PROVED instruction prohibiting the expulsion of pupils for not wearing masks. • Advocacy with the Commander of the Régie des Voies Aériennes (RVA) of Bunia

INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

ZS Bunia ▪ 2 EDS completed and 1 underway; ▪ Briefing of 5 healthcare providers from the emergency room of HGR (general referral hospital)-Bunia on preventive measures; ▪ Provision of PPE and decontamination equipment for the practical session of ZS Bunia teams; ▪ Decontamination of the isolation building of HGR-Bunia. ▪ Provision of some PCI supplies by the partner ALIMA

ZS Rwampara ▪ Briefing of 4 staff from the BALIDJA Mortuary on wearing PPE before handling any body; ▪ Continuation of briefing of 63 healthcare providers (Hygienists, nurses, Doctors and Midwives) from CME Nyakunde) on biomedical waste management. ▪ 3 EDS completed and 1 underway ▪ Decontamination of the isolation room at HGR/Rwampara; ▪ Briefing of 10 Cleaners and 15 PCI supervisors on donning and doffing PPE.

ZS Mongbwalu ▪ Formative supervision in 4 health facilities including: CS Uponyaji, CS Rwampara, Poste de santé Amani and CS Tchunga (without assessment);

DPS Nord Kivu • Decontamination of Matanda Hospital where the confirmed case from the ZS of Katwa is staying; • PCI scorecard assessment of Matanda Hospital: 70,6%; • Performance of case mapping; • State of play of the CTE (Ebola treatment centre) to identify PCI supply needs (PPE, DLM, water supply, waste management, patient flow).

LOGISTICS

• Elaboration of logistics needs assessment for the ZS of Goma, Katwa, Beni, Karisimbi, Mutwanga, Vuhovi, Kalunguta, Kamango, Mabalako, Oicha, Museniene, Kayina, Alimbongo, Butembo; • Acquisition of Starlink kits for internet connectivity from UNICEF; • Receipt of 5 vehicles donated by WHO; • Receipt of 200 litres of Diesel (Support from MEMISA-Belgique).

HOLISTIC CARE

• Briefing of providers of providers at HGR Bunia and Rwampara on wearing PPE; • Clinical evaluation of patients; • Transportation of 5 mattresses, 5 beds and other materials to CME • Erection of two isolation tents underway at HGR Bunia; • Fit-out of a room at HGR Bunia underway. • Evaluation of the nutritional status of patients in isolation at CME. • 14 announcements of results; • Sensitisation of 97 family caregivers, 9 hygienists, 11 labourers, 92 teachers from CSJM and 25 taxi drivers; • Family meeting with 4 families of deceased persons; •

Table VI. Movement of patients in healthcare facilities as of 20 May 2026
Indicators BUNIA HGR BUNIA SOFEPADI BUNIA Clibnique Bénedicte BUNIA RWAOLE BUNIA CH ELIKYA BUNIA TOTAL RWAMPARA HGR RWAMPARA CME RWAMPARA CH SALAMA RWAMPARA CS HOHO RWAMPARA TOTAL HGR MONGBWALU HGR NYANKUNDE OVERALL TOTAL
6 4 0 12 6 28 lits 16 100 10 0 126 Lits 12 11
Report 13 4 1 6 4 28 22 0 7 8 37 21 15 101
Nouvelles Admissions PPL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 5 0 1 6
Nouvelles Admissions Autres 6 0 1 3 2 12 2 6 4 0 12 9 0 33
Nouvelles Admissions Total 6 0 1 3 2 12 2 8 7 0 17 9 1 39
Total en Isolement 19 4 2 9 6 40 24 8 14 8 54 30 16 126
Sorties Guéris 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sorties Décédés 2 0 0 1 0 3 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 6
Sorties Non Cas 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 8 0 13 0 0 13
Sorties Evadés 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 4
Sorties Transférés à HGR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1

SECURITY

• The security situation in the city of Bunia (ZS of Bunia and Rwampara) is relatively calm • Security briefing for deployed teams.

III. CHALLENGES

Lack of standard CT (transit centre) and CTE Lack of PCI materials (PPE, DLM, chlorine) in Nord Kivu Low escalation of alerts by zones; Insufficient financial resources to support all response pillars; Difficulty in transporting samples to the Goma and Kinshasa laboratories. Spread of rumours and proliferation of traditional treatment recipes. Lack of communication media and tools. Lack of office supplies and equipment (IT equipment); Insufficient vehicles for moving teams in the field;

VI. Recommendation

Operationalise the CT and CTE of Beni, Butembo and Goma (rehabilitation and review of patient flow) Strengthen surveillance with a view to escalating alerts and tracing contacts never seen and lost to follow-up; Mobilise resources to support the various response pillars; Strengthen analysis of rumours and community feedback and carry out actions to address them Supply communication media and tools

[PHOTO]

FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

For the Institut National de la Santé Publique (INSP) of the DRC The Director General of INSP Dr MWAMBA KAZADI Dieudonné E-mail: dieudonnemwambakazadi@gmail.com Tel.: +243 816 040 145

The COUSP (public health emergency operations centre) Coordinator Prof NGANDU Christian E-mail: nganduchristian@ymail.com Tel.: +243998091915

For the World Health Organization (WHO/DRC) The ad interim Representative of WHO in DRC Dr Anne Marie ANCIA E-mail: anciaa @who.int

The Team Lead EPR Cluster of WHO in DRC Dr FOTSING Richard E-mail: fotsingri@who.int

For the health information management team Mr Henri MBIYA-NGANDU E-mail: mbiyanganduluboyah@who.int

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