On May 16, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. The outbreak has led to 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths in DRC's Ituri province, with additional cases confirmed in Kinshasa and Kampala. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for international cooperation to monitor and respond to the outbreak. The current strain, identified as the Bundibugyo strain, poses significant challenges as there are no vaccines or specific treatments available, leading to a lethality rate that can reach 50%. Treatments are limited to supportive care, and the lack of vaccines for this strain complicates containment efforts, especially given the high mobility between regions. Historically, Ebola outbreaks have been devastating, with the West Africa outbreak recording over 28,000 cases and more than 11,000 deaths. The WHO notes that early symptoms are often similar to other diseases, making diagnosis challenging. Effective outbreak response relies on community engagement and active case finding, but these efforts can be hampered in conflict zones.