A deadly ebola relative is surging after years in the shadows

A rare virus called Bundibugyo, which belongs to the same family as Ebola, is causing a growing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the World Health Organization, 695 confirmed cases and 138 confirmed deaths were reported in the DRC and Uganda as of June 11, 2026. Bundibugyo causes severe hemorrhagic fever with widespread inflammation, blood vessel damage, and multi-organ failure. The virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected persons, posing high risks to healthcare workers and family members. A major challenge is insufficient diagnostic capacity in some areas, where samples must travel long distances to reference laboratories, delaying infection confirmation. While vaccines exist for Ebola and other filoviruses, no licensed vaccine or therapy has been specifically developed for Bundibugyo.