Ebola outbreak deadliest in DRC history
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The gist
Ebola outbreak in DRC kills 2,325, surpassing 2018-20 toll to become deadliest. No approved vaccine or treatment for Bundibugyo strain complicates response.
Background
The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing its 17th Ebola outbreak, declared on May 15, 2026. The current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments. The outbreak has spread to six provinces, mainly in the conflict-affected northeast, and is spreading faster than any previous Ebola outbreak, according to the WHO.
How it unfolded
- May 15, 2026DRC officially declares its 17th Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species.
- Late July 2026The outbreak becomes the largest in DRC's history in terms of number of cases.
- Aug 13, 2026The outbreak spreads to a sixth province, with death toll passing 2,100.
- Aug 16, 2026Government data shows 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths, surpassing the 2018-20 outbreak toll to become the deadliest in DRC's history.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- DRC health authorities report 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths, making it the deadliest outbreak in the country's history.
- WHO
- WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warns the outbreak is on track to surpass the 2014-2016 West African outbreak, which killed over 11,000 people.
- Expert
- Epidemiologist Dr. Anne Rimoin highlights that the death toll was reached almost three times faster than the previous outbreak, indicating rapid spread.
Still unverified
The exact number of deaths may vary slightly across sources (e.g., 2,325 vs 2,235), but the overall trend is consistent.