Public health risk assessment related to Ebola disease due to Bundibugyo virus: implications for the Americas Region. 18 June 2026

This public health risk assessment aims to assess the current public health risk for the Americas associated with the ongoing outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

This risk assessment was conducted considering, among others, the following criteria: (i) the potential risk to human health following an imported case in the Americas, including the clinical, virological and epidemiological behavior of the disease, the risk of exposure, and measures of magnitude and severity based on the increasing trend in confirmed cases in the countries with documented Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) transmission; (ii) the risk of importation and the potential spread in the Americas, particularly in the context of the FIFA World Cup 2026^TM (11 June-19 July) and (iii) the risk to public health in the light of early detection, prevention, and control capacities in the Americas Region.

This risk assessment based on data available as of 7 June 2026 (Uganda) and 6 June 2026 (Democratic Republic of the Congo). The overall risk posed by this event to the Americas Region is classified as "Low" with a "High" confidence level based on the available information. The risk assessment will be reviewed if more epidemiological, clinical, or virological information becomes available.