Violence, suspicion and hunger complicate response efforts as Uganda investigates new clusters

Lilia Sebouai

Global Health Security Reporter.

Paul Nuki

Global Health Security Editor.

Sarah Newey

Global Health Security Correspondent,

in Bangkok

Published 26 May 2026 5:47pm BST

The explosive Ebola outbreak in central Africa continued to expand unchecked on Tuesday, as suspected cases rose to over 1,000 and new cases were announced in neighbouring Uganda.

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reported 1,011 total cases, of which 105 were confirmed, and 233 deaths – suggesting a rough fatality rate of around 23 per cent.

Meanwhile, seven confirmed cases were reported in Uganda , with local transmission amongst health workers in the capital Kampala.

News of the rapidly increasing case numbers came as the Africa Centre for Disease Control warned that 10 surrounding countries were at risk from the contagion, for which there is no vaccine or other medical counter measures.

They…