DR Congo's largest Ebola outbreak now more than 3600 cases
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing its largest Ebola outbreak on record, with over 3,600 confirmed cases and a 44% fatality rate. Health authorities are scaling up response efforts across five provinces to contain the virus.
Why it matters
The scale of this outbreak poses a significant public health threat and humanitarian challenge in a region already struggling with security issues.
Declared on May 15, 2026, the 17th Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, and the largest recorded Ebola virus disease outbreak in the country, continues to evolve amid a complex humanitarian and security situation.
Initially confined to the Mongbwalu health zone (Ituri), it has spread to five provinces (Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo), now affecting 49 health zones (Tshopo has reported a fifth affected zone, Wanie-Rukula).
Photo by Gani Nurhakim on Unsplash The number of confirmed cases have risen to 3,605 and 1,587 deaths (44% case fatality rate).
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