Ebola disease: Monitoring
Ebola disease outbreak – Current situation
In May 2026, an outbreak of the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The overall risk to the general population in Canada remains low at this time. If an infected person were to arrive in Canada, transmission is expected to be limited due to established public health measures, enhanced border screening measures and because the virus requires direct contact with body fluids or tissues of infected individuals.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is actively monitoring the outbreak in close collaboration with international partners, including the World Health Organization, as well as provincial and territorial public health authorities.
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How Canada monitors Ebola disease
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) works closely with national and international partners to track Ebola disease outbreaks. These partners include the provinces and territories as well as the World Health Organization.
If a case of Ebola disease were confirmed in Canada, PHAC would notify the Pan-American Health Organization and the World Health Organization. This is part of our commitment under the International Health Regulations. The regulations require countries to detect and report events that may be a potential public health emergency of international concern.
Ebola disease in Canada and around the world
There have been no cases of Ebola disease in Canada. The first case of Ebola disease was discovered in 1976. The disease is named after the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, there have been several human outbreaks beginning in Africa.
Related links
- International Health Regulations (2005) – Third edition (World Health Organization)