The week of May 24-31, 2026, saw significant developments in disease surveillance, with mpox, covid-19, measles-imported, hantavirus, and ebola topping the list of monitored diseases. A total of 317 surveillance posts were published, with no system alerts triggered.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to be a major concern, with a disturbing attack on an Ebola treatment center in the eastern part of the country. This incident occurred as the United States implemented stricter travel restrictions, including screening at JFK Airport for passengers from affected regions and closing borders to recent visitors from the DRC. The World Health Organization has characterized the outbreak as spreading rapidly and posing a 'very high' risk at the national level.
Neighboring Uganda reported two new Ebola cases, bringing their total to seven, while the DRC's suspected case count surpassed 900. In response to the growing threat, the U.S. is establishing a quarantine facility in Kenya for exposed U.S. citizens, with symptomatic individuals being treated locally rather than transported back to the United States.
While Ebola dominated headlines, other diseases like mpox, covid-19, measles-imported, and hantavirus remain on the surveillance radar, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and robust public health monitoring.
The week's top stories
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Ebola treatment center attacked in Congo amid US travel restrictions An Ebola treatment center was attacked and burned in eastern Congo, the epicenter of the ongoing outbreak, as the U.S. tightens travel restrictions.
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Uganda reports two new Ebola cases, DRC surpasses 900 suspected cases Ugandan health authorities reported two new Ebola cases, bringing the total to seven, while the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 900 suspected cases.
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JFK Airport to begin Ebola screening for passengers from affected areas J.F.K. Airport will begin screening passengers arriving from Ebola-stricken areas, making it the fourth U.S. airport to implement enhanced public health screenings.
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Air France flight diverted due to passenger from DRC amid Ebola threat A Detroit-bound Air France flight was diverted to Montreal due to a passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country facing Ebola restrictions.
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WHO: Ebola outbreak in Congo is spreading rapidly, poses 'very high' risk The head of the World Health Organization stated the Ebola outbreak in Congo is spreading rapidly and now poses a 'very high' risk at the national level.
This week by the numbers: 317 surveillance items processed, 5 diseases active.
Previous week: May 17 · Next week: May 31 · All weeks
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