The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is battling the deadliest Ebola outbreak in its history, with more than 3,600 confirmed infections and over 1,500 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The outbreak, caused by the Bundobugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has recorded 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths as of July 30, 2026, representing a fatality rate of 44 per cent.
Declared on May 15, 2026, the outbreak has now surpassed the country’s previous largest Ebola epidemic, which occurred between 2018 and 2020 and recorded nearly 3,500 cases.
In a statement posted on X, the WHO said the outbreak was intensifying, with sustained transmission and a steady rise in infections and deaths.
The organisation noted that the past week recorded the highest weekly figures since the outbreak began, with 567 new cases and 296 deaths, describing the situation as evidence of an “exceptional pace of transmission.”
The outbreak is centred in Ituri Province in northeastern DR Congo, near the borders with South Sudan and Uganda, but has also spread to North and South Kivu provinces, where insecurity and armed conflict continue to hamper response efforts.
According to the WHO, insecurity, population displacement and cross-border movements are complicating efforts to contain the disease and increasing the risk of further regional spread.
Ebola is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids and has claimed approximately 15,000 lives across Africa over the past five decades.
There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain, although vaccine development is ongoing in the United Kingdom and Singapore.
The outbreak has already spread beyond DR Congo, with 20 confirmed cases reported in Uganda and one case detected in France.
Two patients diagnosed in DR Congo were also transferred to Germany for treatment.
On July 30, the WHO announced that the most promising vaccine candidate would be developed in Singapore, while clinical trials for another candidate are underway in the United Kingdom.
Health authorities continue to expand surveillance, treatment and containment efforts as they seek to prevent further transmission within DR Congo and across its borders.
