On May 29, the Department of Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health issued a notice updating the Ebola epidemic situation due to the Bundibugyo strain that is breaking out in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
According to the assessment of the World Health Organization (WHO), the epidemic is currently continuing to develop complicatedly with an increasing number of cases, expanding scope of spread and a high risk of cross-border transmission.
The Bundibugyo virus strain of the Ebola group currently has no vaccine or approved specific treatment. On May 17, 2026, WHO announced the Ebola epidemic caused by this strain in Congo and Uganda as a "Public Health Event of International Concern" (PHEIC) under the 2005 International Health Charter, although not yet eligible to declare a global pandemic emergency.
According to updated data as of May 27, 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo recorded 1,077 suspected cases of the disease, including 238 suspected deaths; and confirmed 121 cases, including 17 deaths. Uganda recorded 7 confirmed cases, including 1 death. In total, the two countries currently have 128 confirmed cases and 18 deaths from Ebola Bundibugyo strain.
WHO said these figures may continue to change as epidemiological investigations and tests are still ongoing.
In Congo, the epidemic has appeared in 14 health areas in 3 provinces, mainly concentrated in Ituri province. Areas with high incidences include Rwampara, Bunia, Mongbwalu and Nyankunde. Traceability is facing many difficulties due to unstable security, and large population movements, especially in mining areas and border areas.
Meanwhile, Uganda recorded cases of disease entering from Congo to the capital Kampala. Some cases involved transportation, travel and medical care, increasing the risk of spread in the community.
WHO assesses the risk of an outbreak in Congo at a very high level, the risk of spreading in Africa at a high level, while the global risk is still low. The reason is that undetected transmission chains still exist, the number of cases related to cross-border migration is increasing, and the contact network is expanding.
The Department of Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health has coordinated with WHO, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), relevant ministries and sectors and health experts to organize an assessment of the risk of epidemics entering Vietnam.
According to current assessments, Vietnam has not recorded any Ebola cases and the risk of invasion is identified at a low level. However, the Ministry of Health believes that the possibility of invasive cases in the context of increasing international exchanges and travel cannot be ruled out.
To proactively respond, the Ministry of Health has implemented many early and remote epidemic prevention measures. Professional guidelines on surveillance, testing, early detection, epidemiological investigation, traceability and management of suspected cases have been updated and disseminated to localities.
The health sector also requests to strengthen supervision at border gates, medical examination and treatment facilities and the community; and at the same time review response plans, prepare human resources, supplies, chemicals, equipment, isolation and treatment areas to be ready to handle cases if they appear.
The Department of Disease Prevention recommends that people not panic, need to monitor information from official sources and proactively implement disease prevention measures. People with suspicious signs after returning from the epidemic area or having been in contact with suspected cases should immediately contact the nearest medical facility for advice and timely handling.
The Ministry of Health also recommends that people limit unnecessary trips to epidemic areas. In case it is mandatory to go, avoid contact with people with symptoms of fever, vomiting, diarrhea or suspected Ebola.
