Ebola spreads across Congo as flights halted, supplies run low
Ebola is spreading rapidly across eastern Congo, prompting the suspension of flights to the affected city of Bunia. Authorities reported significant numbers of confirmed and suspected cases, with contact tracing efforts severely lagging. The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, is now the second largest since the 2014-2016 epidemic, and response efforts are hampered by a lack of vaccines and essential supplies.
- ▪Congo has reported 91 confirmed Ebola infections and 204 probable deaths as of May 22.
- ▪The outbreak has overwhelmed contact-tracing efforts, with only a fifth of identified contacts being monitored.
- ▪The US has implemented enhanced airport screening for travelers from Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.
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Ebola spreads across Congo as flights halted, supplies run lowSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxAfrica’s top public health official said the latest Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is being fought without one of the most important tools in epidemic response: vaccines.PHOTO: REUTERSPublished May 24, 2026, 02:15 PMUpdated May 24, 2026, 02:15 PMCongo suspended flights to the eastern city of Bunia and regional health ministers warned of escalating cross-border risks from Ebola as the outbreak spread across three provinces and overwhelmed contact-tracing efforts.Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo reported 91 confirmed Ebola infections, 867 suspected cases and 204 probable deaths as of May 22.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.