FIND support to the Ebola emergency

Ensuring rapid, reliable and equitable access to diagnostics for the Ebola, Bundibugyo virus

Cases of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus are increasing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, with heightened risk of further regional spread. The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization on 17 May 2026, and a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security by Africa CDC on 18 May 2026.

Why diagnostics matter 

Rapid and accurate testing is essential to understand the scale of the outbreak, guide public health action, protect communities and support timely clinical decision-making. Strengthening access to diagnostics is particularly urgent in decentralized and cross-border settings, where delays in detection can accelerate transmission and limit the effectiveness of response measures. 

FIND has activated its Ebola diagnostics response to help accelerate access to fit-for-purpose diagnostic tools for affected countries and at-risk regions. Working with global, regional and country partners, FIND is supporting efforts to identify, evaluate and advance diagnostic solutions that can be used where they are needed most. 

Outbreaks Test Directory 

FIND maintains a searchable directory of diagnostic tests for priority outbreak-prone pathogens. The outbreaks test directory provides information on commercially available and pipeline diagnostics used for the identification, detection and surveillance of epidemic-prone diseases, including Ebola, mpox, cholera and other priority threats. 

Check out the most recent updates on Ebola diagnostics in our outbreaks test directory: https://finddx.shinyapps.io/testdirexplorer_beta/ 

Calls for diagnostic partners 

FIND, in collaboration with global and regional partners, has launched a coordinated effort to strengthen the Ebola diagnostic response. 

Current priorities include evaluating and benchmarking laboratory-based molecular assays for confirmatory testing, as well as advancing diagnostics suitable for decentralized settings to enable faster detection and more timely front-line decision-making. 

How to get involved 

Diagnostic developers, manufacturers, funders, and implementation partners can help accelerate access to the tools needed for this response. If you have relevant Ebola diagnostic technologies, expertise or resources to contribute, please reach out to us at rfp.bi@finddx.org.

Visit FIND’s calls for partners page to review current opportunities and express your interest.

Ebola diagnostic landscape 

FIND is conducting a diagnostic landscaping exercise to identify tools that are available or under development and assess their suitability for the current Bundibugyo virus outbreak.

This work will help inform timely, evidence-based and equitable diagnostic response efforts across affected and at-risk regions. 

FIND is currently reviewing diagnostic tools capable of detecting Bundibugyo virus and will continue to update information as new evidence becomes available.

Status as of 17 June 2026 for diagnostic tools detecting BDBV: 

For more details and information, check out our outbreaks test directory: https://finddx.shinyapps.io/testdirexplorer_beta/  

Evaluations of Ebola diagnostics

On 5 June 2026, a consortium including WHO, Africa CDC, PATH and FIND with support from Unitaid, invited manufacturers interested in participating in an independent performance evaluation of diagnostics for Ebola Bundibugyo virus detection. The EOI closed on 11 June 2026.

Of the responses received and reviewed, the following tests were selected:

• 20 laboratory-based molecular kits
• 5 near point-of-care molecular tests
• 11 antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests

The consortium will conduct analytical laboratory studies and clinical field studies in DRC and possibly in other African countries, such as Uganda. Product usability and acceptability will also be assessed.

Please visit this page for regular updates.

More information