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.

Affected provinces ITURI, NORD-KIVU Affected health zones 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
Affected provinces 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

The province of Ituri is situated 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 confronted with a chronic humanitarian crisis linked to armed conflicts and recurrent population displacements. 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 outbreak of Ebola virus disease 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 the starting point of the epidemic, it is situated in the territory of Djugu where several armed groups operate. It is situated 70 km from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, with frequent population movements towards Uganda. This locality has the particularity of having several mining/construction sites that attract populations coming from other territories of the province and neighbouring provinces.

II. OUTBREAK HISTORY

On 05 May 2026, social media declared an outbreak of deaths of unknown cause with nearly 50 deaths already recorded in the Mongbwalu health zone. Following 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 response teams to Mongbwalu and Rwampara, which had reported suspected viral haemorrhagic fever deaths among patients admitted to the Evangelical Medical Centre of Rwampara, coming from Mongbwalu.

Investigations conducted on 12 May 2026 simultaneously in the Mongbwalu and Rwampara health zones by the Rapid Intervention Teams of the Provincial Health Division (DPS) of Ituri showed that most suspected patients or deaths presented with fever, headache, vomiting, and intense physical asthenia. Deaths occurred 2 to 3 days after disease onset with haematemesis, epistaxis or blackish vomiting. During investigations in the Rwampara health zone, 20 samples from suspected cases or deaths were collected. The majority of persons sampled came from the Mongbwalu health zone. Preliminary tests conducted at the Bunia Laboratory were all negative for Ebola Zaire, dengue, Rotavirus, Cholera, Malaria, Yersinia pestis, mpox and COVID-19. These samples were sent to the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa for additional testing.

On 14 May 2026, 13 of these 20 samples were tested and 8 were positive for non-Zaire Ebola virus disease at INRB Kinshasa. On 15 May 2026, sequencing of the positive samples identified 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 epidemic in the country’s history

On 17 May 2026, in consultation with member states, the Director-General of WHO deemed that the event occurring in 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 member states and those exposed to risks, in response and preparedness.

[FIGURE: TIMELINE OF EVENTS]

II. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION UPDATE

Thirteen (13) new confirmed cases, including 1 case in Nord-Kivu (Katwa ZS (health zone)) and 12 in Ituri (Rwampara: 3, Bunia: 5, Nyakunde: 3 and Bambu: 1). One new zone affected in Ituri province, namely Bambu. Cumulative confirmed cases stand at 64 cases, including 60 in DPS Ituri (8 ZS affected) and 4 in Nord-Kivu (3 ZS affected). Listing of 414 new contacts, including 286 in Rwampara ZS and 128 in Bambu ZS. No new confirmed deaths. Cumulative deaths stand at 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 a partner mobilisation meeting on alignment with the response plan. • Drafting of the provincial operational plan for the Ebola Virus Disease incident in DPS Ituri and Nord-Kivu.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE

Support to Katwa and Goma ZS in in-depth investigation and contact listing around confirmed cases. Setting up of an alert management system (popularisation of the civil protection toll-free number). Start of contact tracing around the confirmed case in Goma ZS and ongoing activation in the Ituri ZS. Alert note from the corresponding PoE in Ntoronko/Uganda regarding the risk of contamination from Congolese residents in Uganda returning from mourning ceremonies for their deceased relatives in DRC on the shores of Lake Albert. In-depth investigations and contact listing 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 Alert carry-over (19/05) New alerts (20/05) Total alerts of the day (20/05) Live alerts Deceased alerts Alerts investigated Alerts not investigated Alerts validated Alerts invalidated Sampled suspected cases Non-sampled suspected cases Isolated suspected cases Non-isolated suspected cases
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 EVD in ITURI province as of 20/ 05 /2026
Alert follow-up Alert carry-over (19/05) New alerts (20/05) Total alerts of the day (20/05) Live alerts Deceased alerts Alerts investigated Alerts not investigated Alerts validated Alerts invalidated Sampled suspected cases Non-sampled suspected cases Isolated suspected cases Non-isolated suspected cases
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 Carry-over from 19/05/2026 Daily follow-up New contacts on 20/05/2026 Daily follow-up Contact to be followed this day Daily follow-up Contacts seen Daily follow-up Discharges 21 Days Daily follow-up Became Suspects Follow-up rate Total not seen Reason not seen Simple Absence Reason not seen Lost to follow-up (≥72 hours) Reason not seen Never seen Reason not seen Refusal Reason not seen Displaced Reason not seen Reco (community health worker) did not visit Remaining to be followed the next 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 of 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 Samples without form 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 following data reconciliation at different levels of the health pyramid with the incident management system.

Surveillance at Points of Entry and Control Points (PoE/PoC)

Activation and operationalisation of PoC Dele (Rwampara ZS) and Mudzibala (Bunia ZS) 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. Assessment of the Kasindi and Nobili PoE and evaluation of the Eringeti, Mavivi Airport, PK5 and Nzuma PoC.

Table V. Summary of data (PoE/PoC) of 20/05/2026
Health zone PoE/PoC Tot travellers passed Tot travellers screened Total handwashing Tot travellers sensitised Tot alerts Tot handwashing refusals Tot screening refusals
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 20/05/2026 • Samples tested: 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 • Carried-over samples: 49 • Samples received: 92 • Total samples to be tested: 141 • 102 samples sent to Kinshasa on 20/05/2026 for sequencing.

Results as of 20 May 2026 (RADIONE) • Cumulative samples received: 218 • Repeat samplings (control): 3 including 2 positive and 1 not analysed • Cumulative samples tested: 134 • Cumulative positives: 64

16 samples received at the Beni Laboratory, of which 7 have already been forwarded to Goma, including 4 arrived at INRB Goma and 3 others en route; 9 samples are still held at INRB Beni awaiting transport for shipment to the testing laboratory

RISK COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (RCCE)

• Broadcast of the Provincial Military Governor’s message on compliance with control measures against the Communication plan currently being drafted • Production of provisional communication timetables • Production of two official messages, one for preparedness and the other for response • Communication session for provincial government executives and staff during morning parade; • Briefing of Presicodesa on strengthening SBC, RCCE, alert reporting and community feedback collection; • Holding of the first meeting to analyse rumours and community feedback. • Advocacy with the Mayor of the City of Bunia to prohibit the organisation of funeral wakes during this MVE (Ebola virus disease) response period • Advocacy with the EPST Bunia Sub-Proved to relay the PROVED instruction prohibiting sending pupils home for not wearing a mask. • Advocacy with the Commander of the Régie des Voies Aériennes (RVA) of Bunia

INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

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

Rwampara ZS ▪ 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 ongoing ▪ Decontamination of the isolation room at HGR/Rwampara; ▪ Briefing of 10 cleaners and 15 PCI supervisors on donning and doffing PPE.

Mongbwalu ZS ▪ Supportive supervision in 4 health facilities, namely: CS Uponyaji, CS Rwampara, Amani Health Post and CS Tchunga (without conducting evaluation);

DPS Nord Kivu • Decontamination of Matanda Hospital where the confirmed case from Katwa ZS is staying; • PCI score card evaluation of Matanda Hospital: 70,6%; • Performance of case mapping; • Assessment of the CTE (Ebola treatment centre) to identify needs for PCI supplies (PPE, water supply, waste management, patient circuit).

LOGISTICS

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

HOLISTIC CARE

• Briefing of healthcare providers at HGR Bunia and Rwampara on wearing PPE; • Clinical evaluation of patients; • Transport of 5 mattresses, 5 beds and other materials to CME • Assembly of two isolation tents ongoing at HGR Bunia; • Fit-out of a ward at HGR Bunia ongoing. • Nutritional status assessment of isolated patients at CME. • 14 disclosure of results; • Sensitisation of 97 family carers, 9 hygienists, 11 workers, 92 teachers from CSJM and 25 taxi drivers; • Family discussion with 4 families of deceased persons; •

Table VI. Patient movement 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
Carry-over 13 4 1 6 4 28 22 0 7 8 37 21 15 101
New Admissions PPL (person released from treatment (discharged patient)) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 5 0 1 6
New Admissions Other 6 0 1 3 2 12 2 6 4 0 12 9 0 33
New Admissions Total 6 0 1 3 2 12 2 8 7 0 17 9 1 39
Total in Isolation 19 4 2 9 6 40 24 8 14 8 54 30 16 126
Discharges Recovered 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Discharges Deceased 2 0 0 1 0 3 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 6
Discharges Non-Cases 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 8 0 13 0 0 13
Discharges Escaped 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 4
Discharges Transferred to HGR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1

SECURITY

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

III. CHALLENGES

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

VI. Recommendation

Make operational the CT and CTE in Beni, Butembo and Goma (rehabilitation and circuit revision) Strengthen surveillance to enhance alert reporting and tracing of contacts never seen and lost to follow-up; Mobilise resources to support the different pillars of the response; Strengthen analysis of rumours and community feedback and carry out actions to address them Supply communication materials and tools

[PHOTO]

For the National Institute of Public Health (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 EPR Cluster Team Lead 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

FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

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