Ebola has reached Paris: should Russians be worried?

      On June 26, 2026, at 08:00, Society In late April 2026, an outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Bundibugyo virus, which caused the epidemic, leads to one of the most severe and often fatal diseases in the world. By mid-June 2026, the number of laboratory-confirmed cases reached 1,048, and the death toll exceeded 267, corresponding to a mortality rate of over 25%. These figures significantly exceed those of previous outbreaks and indicate a rapid spread of the infection. The epidemic has affected more than 20 areas in three eastern provinces of the DRC - Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. The epicenter of the outbreak is located in a zone of long-standing armed conflict, complicating the work of medical services and slowing the fight against the disease.

      Causes and consequences of the outbreak The WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern in mid-May 2026, although the first cases of the disease were recorded several weeks earlier. This suggests that the virus may have circulated in the region unnoticed for several months. According to Dr. Richard Kodjan from Ituri province, the situation has spiraled out of control, and doctors have tracked only 20% of contacts with the infected. The actual number of infected individuals may be significantly higher. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the outbreak is occurring in a region where civil wars have been ongoing for many years. This leads to the destruction of infrastructure, a shortage of medical resources, and complicates vaccination and other epidemic control measures.

      Spread of the virus beyond Africa The first cases of the disease outside Africa were recorded in mid-May 2026. Strict measures to control the spread of the virus were implemented in Uganda, Rwanda, and Zambia, including border closures and enhanced medical monitoring. The USA and Canada banned entry to foreigners who had been in outbreak zones, while Thailand mandated a three-week quarantine for all arrivals from these regions. A particularly concerning case occurred on June 24, 2026, in France. A doctor from a humanitarian organization working in the DRC became infected. He was immediately isolated, and authorities began tracing all individuals he had contacted. These individuals were also placed under a 21-day home quarantine.

      Symptoms and course of the disease The incubation period for Ebola ranges from two days to three weeks. During this period, a person appears healthy and does not pose a threat to others. However, the disease develops rapidly. It begins with a sudden increase in temperature to 38-39 degrees, severe weakness, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, and headache. One of the survivors from Uganda told Esquire that he woke up with a high fever and spent three weeks in bed, experiencing unbearable weakness and pain. In the hospital, he was diagnosed with malaria, but soon he developed diarrhea and severe chest pain. In the isolation ward, he began to bleed, and he had never seen so much blood flowing from a person. With a favorable course of the disease, it subsides after two to three weeks, but complete recovery takes several months. In survivors, the virus can persist in bodily fluids, such as semen, for up to 12 months after recovery.

      Why there is no need to panic Despite the severity of the disease, it is important to remember that Ebola is not transmitted through the air, like the flu or coronavirus. Infection occurs only through direct contact with the blood, organs, or bodily fluids of an infected or deceased person, as well as through contaminated surfaces. During the incubation period, a person is not a source of the virus, and it is impossible to contract it from them before symptoms appear. The Ebola virus can survive for some time on contaminated surfaces but is destroyed by boiling and standard disinfectants based on alcohol or sodium hypochlorite.

      Danger to Russian tourists The Russian Union of Travel Industry stated to 360.ru that the risk of Ebola infection for Russian tourists in France is extremely low: the first infected individual, who returned from Congo, sought medical help immediately after returning and is currently in quarantine. French authorities consider the likelihood of the infection spreading in the country to be very low. The Russian Union of Travel Industry emphasized that, at this time, there are no complaints or signs of concern from Russian citizens who are in France. The monitoring system is operating as usual, and there is no panic among tourists. RTS also noted that the professional community is constantly monitoring the epidemiological situation in countries where Russian tourists are vacationing. If even minimal threats arise, the industry will promptly inform travelers and issue appropriate warnings. The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is required. This resource may contain materials 18+.