Why It Matters

The 2026 Ebola outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus has rapidly become the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record, according to a new Congressional Research Service (CRS) report. ​

The outbreak, concentrated in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has expanded "substantially faster than previous Ebola outbreaks," per the CDC, and as of late September more than 80% of newly identified cases were reportedly among individuals not on existing contact-tracing lists.

There is no approved vaccine or treatment specifically for Bundibugyo virus.

The report identifies this outbreak as the first declared public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) to emerge since the Trump administration undertook major changes to the U.S. foreign assistance structure in 2025, including the dismantlement of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Big Picture

The report lists 8,625 cases for the period May 15 through Oct. 6, with roughly 76% concentrated in DRC's Ituri province. WHO warned in mid-July that the true scale of the outbreak could be "at least two to four times" as large as reported case data suggested.

The State Department announced an additional $267 million in direct life-saving health and humanitarian assistance on Sept. 23, providing a total of more than $887 million overall for the response in Africa, and the CDC has deployed more than 120 staff. A CDC order issued May 18 barred entry of certain foreign nationals who had been in DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within 21 days, with a September renewal stating an effective period through Oct. 11.

On June 24, the administration submitted a supplemental funding request seeking $1.44 billion for Ebola within an $87.6 billion fiscal 2026 package. As of the report's writing, Congress had not introduced legislation to provide that funding.

The U.S. withdrew from WHO under Executive Order 14155, formalized in January. Two bills calling on the U.S. to rejoin WHO were introduced and referred to committee. S. 4929, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on June 24. H.R. 10345, sponsored by Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-7), was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Sept. 10.

The Bottom Line

Congress faces decisions on whether to authorize or appropriate funds for U.S. personnel, programs and partners, and as of the report's writing, it had not introduced legislation to provide the requested funding.

Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article