Bundibugyo Virus Disease Factsheet

Bundibugyo virus disease FAQ

What is Bundibugyo virus disease? 

Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) is a severe and often fatal form of Ebola disease. Previous outbreaks of BVD have resulted in death rates as high as a 50%. It is typically less common than Ebola Virus Disease (EVD, Zaire) or Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) with only three previous outbreaks recorded.  

What are the symptoms?  

Ebola symptoms tend to be similar across all species. These include fever, fatigue, malaise, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain rash, bleeding, and symptoms of impaired kidney and liver functions.   

How does a person become infected?  

The virus is believed to be transmitted to humans by the presumed reservoir, fruit bats or infected primates — even if the infected animal is dead — through hunting, butchering, or consumption of bush meat. Once a person is infected, the virus can spread to others through close personal contact or contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, feces, and vomit from a person who is sick or who has died from the disease. 

How quickly does a person experience symptoms after infection?  

Symptoms begin anywhere from 2 to 21 (usually 6-10 days) days after infection. 

Where have cases been found?  

In May 2026, an outbreak of Bundibugyo was detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda (imported from DRC). Previous outbreaks have occurred in Uganda in 2007 and in DRC in 2012. 

Is there a treatment for Bundibugyo? 

There are currently no approved treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease, though trials are underway as of August 2026 to evaluate potential treatment options. 

Is there a vaccine for Bundibugyo?  

There is no approved vaccine for Bundibugyo, but there are currently five vaccine candidates in various stages of clinical trials and testing for safety and immunogenicity. 

How can people protect themselves from infection?  

As of September 2026, the U.S. CDC recommends avoiding all travel to Ituri and Nord-Kivu (North Kivu) provinces and avoiding nonessential travel to Haut-Uele and Tshopo provinces in DRC due to the ongoing outbreak. Find the most updated information online.  

If travel to the affected areas is unavoidable, the U.S. CDC recommends the following precautions: 

• Avoid contact with people who have symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, or rash 

• Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids or objects that are contaminated 

• Avoid visiting health care facilities for non-urgent medical care or non-medical reasons 

• Avoid traditional healers 

• Avoid contact with dead bodies or items that have been in contact with dead bodies 

• Avoid participating in funeral or burial practices that involve touching the body of someone who died from BVD 

• Avoid exposure to semen from men who have recovered from BVD until testing shows that the virus is no longer present 

• Avoid contact with bats, forest antelopes, nonhuman primates (e.g., monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas), and blood, fluids, or raw meat from these or unknown animals 

• Avoid going into areas where bats live, such as mines or caves 

• Monitor yourself for symptoms of BVD while in the country and for 21 days after leaving and if you develop fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising 

• Isolate yourself from others immediately 

• Do not travel 

• Contact the local health authorities or a health care facility for advice and to coordinate care and institute precautions to protect staff and other patients