Ebola spread in DR Congo 'deeply alarming' as Kenya builds quarantine facility

A rapidly escalating outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has prompted deep concern from global health organizations and aid groups. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026, while medical charities have expressed alarm over the fast spread of the disease and its potential to overwhelm already stretched healthcare systems in the affected regions.

In response to the regional outbreak, Kenya, in partnership with the United States, initiated plans to establish a 50-bed Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base, primarily intended for American citizens exposed to the virus. However, the planned opening of this facility was temporarily halted by a Kenyan High Court on May 29, 2026, following a petition from the Katiba Institute.

The court order came amid significant public and medical community opposition in Kenya, raising concerns about public health risks, the constitutionality of the project, and a perceived lack of transparency. Critics argued the facility would exclusively serve foreign nationals, though Kenya's Health Cabinet Secretary has since stated it would be open to all patients and managed by the Kenya Defence Forces. The Democratic Republic of Congo, meanwhile, has reiterated its own capacity to manage Ebola outbreaks.