More than 5,000 die from Ebola in DR Congo's deadliest outbreak
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing its deadliest Ebola outbreak in history, with over 5,000 deaths reported since May 2026. The virus is spreading through conflict-affected regions, complicating containment efforts and the delivery of medical aid.
Why it matters
The rapid spread and high fatality rate of this outbreak pose a significant threat to regional stability and global public health security.
Medical workers in protective suits transfer the body of an Ebola victim in Mongbwalu, Ituri province, eastern DRC on May 24, 2026. /XINHUA More than 5,000 people have died from an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, government data shows.
Eight of 26 provinces are now affected, with more than 10,300 confirmed cases.
The outbreak, which started in May, became the country's deadliest in its history in August, public health officials said. The current case fatality rate is 48.6%.
In its latest update, the health ministry said the epicentre of the epidemic remains in the Ituri province, in the north-east of the country, which is a conflict zone, making it harder to contain the virus.
Cases have also been confirmed in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda.
This marks the 17th outbreak in DR Congo's history, according to the United Nations (UN), and the second largest in history.
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