Current Ebola outbreak worst ever in DR Congo, WHO says
The WHO reports that the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the largest in the country's history, with over 3,600 cases and a 44% fatality rate. Insecurity and population displacement in the Ituri and Kivu provinces are significantly hindering containment efforts.
Why it matters
The rapid spread of a virus with no approved vaccine poses a major public health threat to the region and risks further international transmission.
Image source, Reuters By Jamie Whitehead Published 14 minutes ago The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the biggest in the country's history, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
As of 30 July, there were 3,605 confirmed cases including 1,587 deaths - a fatality rate of 44%.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. It was declared on 15 May 2026 and surpasses the previous biggest outbreak between 2018 and 2020, which had nearly 3,500 recorded cases of whom almost 2,300 died.
There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, but vaccines are being developed in the UK and Singapore.
Ebola, which spreads through contact with bodily fluids, has killed 15,000 people across Africa over the last 50 years.
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