Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia Source: UN Children's Fund Please refer to the attached file. Highlights: The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak remains confined to DRC and Uganda, with no confirmed cases reported in neighbouring countries to date. However, extensive cross-border movement, porous borders and humanitarian vulnerabilities continue to create a high risk of regional spread, underscoring the need to sustain readiness before the virus crosses borders. UNICEF is supporting governments in IPC/WASH, RCCE, emergency coordination and preparedness at priority points of entry. Countries are reinforcing frontline capacities through simulation exercises, pre- positioning of essential supplies, health worker training and community engagement to ensure any imported case can be detected timely, contained and responded to. UNICEF requires US$70.7 million to support the Regional Ebola efforts including US$ 29.1 million to support preparedness and readiness in the 10 high-risk countries. Significant funding gaps continue to constrain readiness and preparedness in those countries. HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT SITUATION OVERVIEW The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Uganda, continues to pose a significant threat to the wider region. First confirmed in Ituri Province on 15 May 2026, the outbreak is unfolding in a highly complex humanitarian context characterized by insecurity, population displacement, fragile health services and intense cross-border mobility. Recognizing the potential for rapid cross-border spread, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), while the Africa CDC designated it a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). In response, UNICEF activated its highest level of emergency response (Level 3 Corporate Emergency Procedures), enabling a rapid scale-up of outbreak response in affected countries. As of 29 June 2026, DRC has reported 1274 confirmed cases, including 360 confirmed deaths, while Uganda has confirmed 20 cases, including 2 death. Importantly, no confirmed Ebola cases have been reported outside DRC and Uganda to date. However, the risk of regional spread remains high due to porous borders, frequent population movements, trade corridors and refugee flows linking the affected countries with neighbouring States. Preserving this status requires sustained vigilance and continued investment in preparedness. While response operations continue in DRC and Uganda, governments across neighbouring countries are transitioning to preparedness planning and operational readiness; strengthening the capacities required to rapidly detect, contain and respond to any imported case should the virus cross borders. With UNICEF's support, countries are reinforcing community surveillance, infection prevention and control (IPC), WASH, risk communication and community engagement (RCCE), laboratory capacity, coordination as well as preparedness at priority points of entry.
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