The World Health Organisation has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading faster than health teams can contain.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said on Tuesday in Geneva that the outbreak is the largest ever recorded in the country.
“The outbreak is unfortunately still expanding beyond the capacity of the response,” Jasarevic said.
He called for more funding to strengthen treatment centres, investigation teams, safe burial teams and community health workers.
Largest Ebola Outbreak In DR Congo History
The outbreak was declared on May 15, 2026, in Ituri Province, northeastern DR Congo, near the borders with Uganda and sudan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">South Sudan.
As of July 30, 2026, WHO said there are 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths, a fatality rate of 44%. Another 227 suspected cases are under investigation. Over 17,000 contacts are being monitored, with more than 80% receiving daily checks.
WHO said 90% of cases are in Ituri, with the rest in North and South Kivu where armed conflict hampers response.
The outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. Unlike the Zaire strain, there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for Bundibugyo. However, trials are ongoing in the United Kingdom and Singapore.
Ebola spreads through contact with blood and body fluids of an infected person. It causes fever, bleeding and organ failure. The virus has killed about 15,000 people in Africa in five decades.
The WHO posted on X that the past week saw 567 cases and 296 deaths, the highest weekly toll, showing “exceptional pace of transmission,” as reported by Reuters.
Cases have also been reported outside DR Congo. Uganda has recorded 20 cases, France one case, and two patients from DR Congo were treated in Germany.
The previous largest outbreak in DR Congo was between 2018 and 2020 with about 3,500 cases and 2,300 deaths, according to WHO.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
