Current Ebola outbreak worst ever in DR Congo, WHO says

What the report says

The World Health Organization says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the largest in the country’s history, with the latest figures showing 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths as of 30 July. BBC Africa reports that the outbreak was declared on 15 May 2026 and is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment.

According to the WHO statement cited by BBC Africa, the outbreak is intensifying, with transmission continuing to spread and weekly totals reaching their highest level so far. The agency said insecurity, population displacement and cross-border movement are making it harder to contain the virus and raising the risk of further spread. The fatality rate cited in the report is 44%.

The centre of the outbreak is Ituri province in the northeast, near the borders with South Sudan and Uganda, but cases have also been recorded in North Kivu and South Kivu, areas affected by conflict and armed-group control. BBC Africa also notes that cases linked to the outbreak have been reported in Uganda, France and Germany.

The report places the current emergency in broader context, saying it has already overtaken the 2018-2020 outbreak in the DRC and underlines the continuing challenge of responding to Ebola in insecure and mobile populations. The WHO said vaccine development efforts are under way in the UK and Singapore.