CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory: Ebola Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda 

This message is being sent to the health alert network, travel health network, and infection preventionists. 

Summary

On May 19, 2026, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory providing information about a new outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda caused by the Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense). The risk of spread to the United States is considered low at this time.

Background

Ebola disease is a rare but severe viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). The investigation of a cluster of severe illness that began in early May among health care workers in DRC identified Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) as the cause. On May 17, the World Health Organization determined this outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern. 

As of May 25, 2026, a total of 906 suspected cases, 112 confirmed cases, and 234 deaths have been reported. The BVD outbreak is occurring in areas affected by insecurity, population displacement, mining-related population movement, and frequent cross-border travel, all of which may increase the risk of further transmission.

In response to this outbreak, the CDC Division of Global Migration and Health (DGMH) has implemented public health entry screening and traveler monitoring at certain U.S. airports for people arriving from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. On May 15, 2026, CDC issued travel health notices for Uganda and DRC. It is important to check CDC travel health notices for up-to-date information about affected countries.

DGMH is actively notifying the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) of any travelers returning to Wisconsin who were in an affected country during the previous 21 days. DHS will create a contact investigation record in the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS) for each traveler and coordinate an exposure risk assessment and symptom monitoring procedures with the traveler’s local or Tribal health department (LTHD). As of May 26, 2026, DHS has already been notified of several returning travelers from these countries. DHS is working with impacted LTHDs to assure appropriate screening and symptom monitoring.

When returning travelers are identified, DHS will coordinate and plan with their local and Tribal health departments to identify medical facilities where travelers under monitoring could be evaluated if an illness or injury that requires medical attention occurs during the monitoring period.

Recommendations for Wisconsin health care facilities

While every effort is made to have any medical encounters for monitored travelers pre-planned and facilities notified prior to presentation for care, all health care providers and facilities should be prepared to encounter a patient who has traveled to an affected country. In addition to the CDC recommendations listed in the HAN, DHS recommends the following to all health care facilities in Wisconsin:

• Use the CDC Guide for Clinicians Evaluating an Ill Person for VHF. This guide provides recommendations for:
  • Identifying patients with risk factors by screening for travel to or from an affected country and assessing them for the presence of Ebola-compatible signs or symptoms.
  • Isolating patients immediately if screening identifies a patient with high-risk travel and compatible symptoms, then managing them using appropriate infection prevention practices.
  • Informing infection control at the facility and public health immediately. An on-call epidemiologist in the DHS Bureau of Communicable Diseases can be reached 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. at 608-267-9003 and during non-business hours at the DHS 24/7 emergency line at 800-943-0003 (option 4) or 608-258-0099.
• Travel to or from the DRC, Uganda, or an affected country in the past 21 days should not be a reason to defer routine laboratory testing or other measures necessary for standard patient care. 
• Following initial consultation with DHS, patients may need to be transferred to another facility for a complete Ebola assessment. There are no designated Ebola assessment hospitals in Wisconsin. All medical systems should identify a hospital or other facility in Wisconsin where their patient’s assessment for Ebola disease will occur. It is expected that patients will receive assessment and initial care at a Wisconsin health care facility within their medical and insurance network. 
• Facilities conducting patient assessments need to be prepared to follow infection prevention and control measures for their patients. 

For more information on Ebola disease and Bundibugyo virus, please visit the CDC Ebola disease web page. 

CDC COCA call for clinicians

CDC is providing a Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call regarding What Clinicians Should Know about Ebola Bundibugyo Virus. During this COCA Call, learn more about this outbreak, the history and ecology of Bundibugyo virus, what U.S. clinicians should know about preparing for, diagnosing, and managing patients with suspect or confirmed Ebola disease, and how to prevent Ebola viruses from spreading.

Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026

Time: 1– 2 p.m. CT

Webinar Link: A few minutes before the webinar begins, please click here to join.

Please do not reply directly to this email message. If you have a question, please email the dhsdphbcd@dhs.wisconsin.gov.