Updated for: May 22, 2026
This is a highly complex and rapidly evolving situation. We will update this page as new information becomes available.
Our team is safe and healthy.
To date, and to the best of our knowledge, no suspected or confirmed cases of Bundibugyo virus disease have been detected in wild, human-habituated eastern gorillas.
The information here pertains only to the current Bundibugyo virus disease human outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda and its threat to and potential impact on eastern gorillas (mountain and Grauer’s) across their three range countries (DR Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda). For detailed information on the ongoing impact to human health we recommend the following:
U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Ebola Disease – Current Situation
World Health Organization (WHO)
Overview
On May 15, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed an outbreak of Bundibugyo (Bun-di-BOO-joh) virus disease in humans in the north-eastern province of Ituri. The next day, Gorilla Doctors issued a memo to government partners and key stakeholders on the critical importance of strict adherence to best practices for disease prevention in eastern gorillas.
Our regional leadership is coordinating across all three countries (DR Congo, Uganda, Rwanda), working closely with our field teams, government partners, and key stakeholders in our response efforts. Dr. Sonya (executive director) and Dr. Tierra (chief veterinary & scientific officer) are in Rwanda and have been supporting the team in real-time.
Some of Gorilla Doctors’ initial response efforts include:
- Maintaining routine gorilla health monitoring across all protected areas except Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DR Congo where, for security reasons, we have not been routinely monitoring the Grauer’s gorillas for many months
- Monitoring other wildlife in protected areas for clinical signs of Bundibugyo virus disease (clinical signs similar to Ebola virus disease)
- Leading education and training workshops for park staff, rangers, and eco-guards to help protect their health as well as minimize the risk of disease transmission to eastern gorillas; distributing hygiene safety kits to ranger patrol posts across all gorilla national parks
Additional activities, equipment, and supplies will be implemented in accordance with the Ministries of Health and gorilla protected areas as the situation evolves.
FAQs
1) What is Bundibugyo virus disease?
There is a group of four viruses called ‘orthoebolaviruses’ that can all cause severe illness, including hemorrhagic fever. The most commonly known of the four is Ebola virus which causes Ebola virus disease. The other three are: Sudan virus, Taï Forest virus, and Bundibugyo virus.
The illness caused by the Bundibugyo virus is called Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD). You may see it commonly referred to as Ebola even though it is technically the Bundibugyo virus.
2) Can gorillas get BVD from humans?
Great apes, including gorillas, are highly susceptible to the Ebola virus and Ebola virus disease as has been documented in West Africa. There has never been a suspected or confirmed case of either Ebola virus or Bundibugyo virus in eastern gorillas (mountain and Grauer’s) but it should be assumed that eastern gorillas are susceptible to the virus and the disease it can cause.
3) How is Bundibugyo virus transmitted?
It is a highly contagious virus transmitted through direct contact of mucosal surfaces (oral, nasal, genital) or with bodily fluids and excretions (for example: blood, saliva, urine, feces, semen) from infected animals or people, including contaminated surfaces.
4) Are gorillas infected the same way as humans?
Yes. Gorillas are infected just as humans are: through direct contact with an infected animal, and conceivably through contact with bodily fluids or excretions of infected people.
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If you have additional questions please email us at info@gorilladoctors.org, we will do our best to provide answers to the most common questions here. Thank you in advance for your support and patience as we prioritize our response efforts and the safety of our team in the field.
