37 New Ebola Deaths in 24 Hours Signal the DRC Outbreak Remains in Active, Uncontrolled Spread

What the report says

Medical Daily reported that the Democratic Republic of Congo recorded 37 new deaths from Bundibugyo Ebola in a 24-hour period from Friday, July 18, to Saturday, July 19, 2026, describing it as among the highest daily fatality counts since the outbreak was announced on May 15. The outlet, citing NPR and Al Jazeera, said the latest figures brought the confirmed death toll to 930 among 2,344 laboratory-confirmed cases based on data through July 18.

The report said the outbreak is concentrated in Ituri Province and North Kivu, with Ituri accounting for most confirmed cases and deaths. Medical Daily also cited major response challenges, including attacks on health facilities and medical teams, strikes by health workers over unpaid wages, supply constraints and the difficulty of tracing transmission chains. The article said at least 36 health workers have died from infection.

A key development is the start of clinical trials aimed specifically at the Bundibugyo strain. Medical Daily reported that trials are enrolling patients for remdesivir, MBP134 — a monoclonal antibody candidate from Mapp Biopharmaceutical — and an Oxford-linked Phase 1 vaccine candidate called BD-Ebov. The outlet noted there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for Bundibugyo Ebola, unlike the better-established tools used against the Zaire Ebola strain.

Medical Daily framed the surge in deaths as evidence that the outbreak remains severe and difficult to contain. The article said risk to most Americans remains very low, while travelers, aid workers, journalists and others working in affected areas face higher risk and should follow public health travel guidance.