The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is the largest in the country's history. As of July 30, 2026, there have been 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths, resulting in a fatality rate of 44%.

This outbreak, declared on May 15, 2026, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. It has surpassed the previous largest outbreak between 2018 and 2020, which recorded nearly 3,500 cases and almost 2,300 deaths. Currently, there is no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, although vaccines are under development in the UK and Singapore.

Ebola, which spreads through contact with bodily fluids, has killed approximately 15,000 people across Africa over the past 50 years.

The WHO stated that the outbreak is "intensifying, with sustained transmission and continued increases in reported cases and deaths." During the past week alone, the outbreak reached its highest weekly total with 567 cases and 296 deaths.

Response efforts are being hampered by factors such as insecurity, population displacement, and cross-border movement. The WHO warned that "the convergence of insecurity, population displacement and mobility, and cross-border movements complicate response operations and increase the risk of further geographical spread."

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