Canadian Pilot Joins Global Emergency Response as DRC Ebola Outbreak Surpasses 1,000 Cases
A Canadian pilot, Dominic Villeneuve, evacuated a medical family from Nyankunde Hospital in the DRC to Uganda after an American missionary doctor tested positive for Ebola, as the outbreak surpassed 1,000 cases. The WHO and Africa CDC declared the crisis a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 16, 2026, with concerns over the rare Bundibugyo strain, which lacks approved vaccines or treatments.
Medical Aid Flight (MAF) pilot Dominic Villeneuve, based in Bunia, Ituri Province, evacuated a family of doctors and their children to Uganda after an American missionary physician tested positive for Ebola at Nyankunde Hospital. The flight included the doctor’s wife, their children, and another exposed medical professional, while the infected physician was separately flown to Germany for treatment. This follows earlier evacuations of another missionary family in the region. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the DRC’s Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 16, 2026, with the Africa CDC issuing a similar alert. The outbreak, now surpassing 1,000 cases, involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists, unlike the more common Zaire strain. Villeneuve, from Kamloops, B.C., emphasized MAF’s adherence to strict Ebola protocols, including real-time tracking and mitigation measures to ensure crew and passenger safety. MAF has supported six previous Ebola outbreaks in the DRC since 1976, leveraging partnerships with NGOs, local hospitals, and government authorities to provide logistical aid. The organization operates across the DRC with 13 missionary families and over 35 Congolese staff, maintaining a presence in cut-off communities. Brad Bell, CEO of MAF Canada, highlighted the group’s long-term commitment, describing their response as a coordinated effort to support frontline health workers amid the crisis. This marks the 17th recorded Ebola outbreak in the DRC, with MAF’s involvement dating back to 1961. The Bundibugyo strain’s resurgence has heightened global health concerns, prompting calls for international solidarity. Villeneuve urged prayers for affected individuals and swift containment efforts as the outbreak evolves.
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