KINSHASA, DRC- The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is experiencing the worst Ebola outbreak in its history, with infections and deaths continuing to rise at an alarming rate, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
According to the WHO, the outbreak has recorded 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths as of July 30, representing a fatality rate of approximately 44 per cent.
The current epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, was officially declared on May 15, 2026, and has now surpassed the country’s previous largest outbreak between 2018 and 2020, which recorded nearly 3,500 cases and about 2,300 deaths.
In a statement posted on X, the WHO said the outbreak was “intensifying, with sustained transmission and continued increases in reported cases and deaths.”
The UN health agency noted that the latest reporting period registered the highest weekly toll since the outbreak began, with 567 new cases and 296 deaths, highlighting what it described as the “exceptional pace of transmission.”
Health officials said the outbreak continues to spread rapidly amid persistent security challenges, population displacement and frequent cross-border movement, factors that have complicated surveillance, contact tracing and response efforts.
“The convergence of insecurity, population displacement and mobility, and cross-border movements complicate response operations and increase the risk of further geographical spread,” the WHO said.
The epicentre of the outbreak remains Ituri Province in northeastern DR Congo, which borders Uganda and South Sudan. However, infections have also spread to North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, where ongoing conflict involving the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group has further hampered health interventions.
Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks, there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain. However, experimental vaccines are reportedly under development in the United Kingdom and Singapore.
The outbreak has also crossed international borders. Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases, while France has confirmed one imported case. Two patients diagnosed in DR Congo were later transferred to Germany for treatment.
Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials. Over the past five decades, the disease has claimed more than 15,000 lives across Africa.
The WHO continues to urge stronger international support to contain the outbreak, warning that continued insecurity and population movements could fuel further transmission within the region and beyond.
