Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a single filamentous Ebola virus particle (colorized blue). Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility in Ft. Detrick, Maryland.
NIAID is working with U.S. and international partners to support the response to the 2026 outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a type of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. As part of the response, NIAID is identifying ways biomedical research can help meet urgent needs.
NIAID has long supported research on orthoebolaviruses, a group of closely related viruses including Bundibugyo virus that can cause Ebola disease in people. Findings from this work are helping NIAID, as well as U.S. and international partners, advance promising approaches to diagnose, prevent, and treat BVD.
May 2026 Outbreak in DRC
In mid-May 2026, public health authorities in the DRC and Uganda, two countries in sub-Saharan Africa, confirmed an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The outbreak was first recognized after a cluster of severe illnesses involving healthcare workers was detected in the DRC, with laboratory testing later confirming the identity of the virus.
Ebola diseases are serious and potentially fatal illnesses that can be initially difficult to identify because the nonspecific symptoms associated with early disease can resemble other more common infections. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for BVD, so early diagnosis and supportive care are essential.
Although the overall risk to the American public remains low, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other U.S. government partners are closely monitoring the situation and supporting response efforts. Learn more about the CDC’s response to the 2026 outbreak.
NIAID Outbreak Response – Focus on Research
NIAID’s primary role in outbreak response is to conduct and support research that can help answer critical scientific questions that ultimately improve diagnostics, prevention, treatment, and care strategies during the 2026 or future outbreaks. In response to the 2026 BVD outbreak, NIAID is supporting several studies and resource platforms that can be used to better understand the disease and inform the public health response.
When outbreaks occur, carefully designed research can help answer urgent questions about how the virus spreads, how it causes illness, and how to improve diagnostics, prevention, treatment, and care. Research is conducted alongside public health response efforts so that communities receive the support needed while scientists gather information to improve outbreak tools.
Ongoing NIAID Bundibugyo Virus Research
NIAID is conducting and supporting critical studies and developing resources to inform the 2026 outbreak response and prepare for future outbreaks:
- NIAID scientists are conducting several preclinical studies of potential new prevention and treatment tools, including vaccines, antibodies, and broad-acting antiviral drugs. Several of these tools may soon advance to clinical testing for safety and efficacy in healthy individuals.
- NIAID-supported researchers are studying antibody responses in individuals who have likely had multiple exposures to orthoebolaviruses and related viruses during their lifetime. This research will advance the discovery of new antibody treatments and the development of broadly protective vaccines.
- The NIAID-funded Bioinformatics Resource Centers is giving researchers access to Bundibugyo virus and related virus genetic data, including genetic sequences from the current outbreak, along with tools to analyze how these viruses are related and changing over time.
- The NIAID-funded Centers for Research on Structural Biology are creating reagents and three-dimensional structure determinations of important Bundibugyo virus proteins. These resources are important to inform the development of new drugs against this virus.
- The NIAID-funded BEI Resources Repository is granting researchers access to critical Ebola research materials, such as inactivated virus samples. This resource supports the development and evaluation of tools and strengthens domestic preparedness for Ebola and other potential infectious disease threats.
Supporting the U.S. Government Response
In addition to its research efforts, NIAID is supporting the BVD response by working closely with partners in the U.S. and internationally. NIAID staff are sharing scientific and public health expertise across the U.S. government to support the nation’s domestic and international response.
Critical BVD Research – NIAID is conducting and supporting studies for potential BVD prevention and treatment tools, including vaccines, antibodies, and antiviral drugs. Researchers are also studying immune responses to orthoebolaviruses to inform new antibody treatments and broadly protective vaccines.
Supporting Scientists – NIAID supports resources that provide data, reagents, virus materials, and analysis tools that help researchers study Bundibugyo virus and related orthoebolaviruses. These resources support the development of new medical tools and strengthen preparedness for Ebola outbreaks and other infectious disease threats.
Invaluable Expertise – NIAID staff are participating in conversations across the U.S. government to support a coordinated domestic and international response to the BVD outbreak. Through these conversations, NIAID staff provide their scientific and public health expertise.
Building on Previous NIAID Research
NIAID’s longstanding research on orthoebolaviruses has ranged from early laboratory research to clinical trials in people. Knowledge from this research is now helping partners in the U.S. and internationally advance promising prevention and treatment approaches for the 2026 BVD outbreak:
- NIAID researchers developed a viral vector vaccine candidate designed to protect against Bundibugyo virus. The vaccine showed protection in early laboratory studies, and a nonprofit research organization received funding from a partner organization to move it toward clinical testing.
- NIAID researchers developed an antibody-based treatment against two different orthoebolaviruses related to Bundibugyo virus. This treatment showed protection against and reduction of viruses detectable in the blood in animal models. Researchers have planned additional studies to test whether it also protects against Bundibugyo virus.
- NIAID funded early laboratory studies of another type of antibody treatment that was designed to work against multiple species of orthoebolaviruses. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) donated the treatment for compassionate use in the DRC, and academic partners are preparing the treatment for clinical testing.
- In collaboration with the Department of Defense, NIAID supported the development of an FDA-cleared diagnostic test for the presumptive detection of Bundibugyo virus.
Funding Opportunities and Additional Resources for Researchers
Researchers are encouraged to submit investigator-initiated grant applications on topics relevant to Bundibugyo virus and other orthoebolaviruses that fall within the NIAID mission. Additionally, researchers can look for specific requests for applications issued or supported by NIAID, which are available on NIH’s Highlighted Topics page and at Grants.gov.
NIAID also maintains a comprehensive suite of preclinical and clinical resources to conduct gap filling studies to facilitate the advancement of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines along the product development path. Through these services, investigators can access expertise, research materials, and state-of-the-art technologies at minimal to no cost.