Current Ebola outbreak worst ever in DR Congo, WHO says

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the most severe in the country's history. As of July 30, 2026, there have been 3,605 confirmed cases, resulting in 1,587 deaths - a mortality rate of 44%. This outbreak is attributed to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.

The previous largest outbreak occurred between 2018 and 2020, with nearly 3,500 recorded cases and almost 2,300 fatalities. At present, there is no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain; however, vaccines are under development in the UK and Singapore.

The WHO's statement on X platform highlighted 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, underscoring the exceptional pace of transmission. Factors such as insecurity, population displacement, and cross-border movement continue to impede response efforts and heighten the risk of further spread.

The outbreak's epicenter is in Ituri province, located in the northeast of the DRC, which shares borders with South Sudan and Uganda. However, the virus has also spread to other regions, including North and South Kivu provinces, where significant areas are controlled by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group. The convergence of insecurity, population displacement, and mobility, along with cross-border movements, complicates response operations and escalates the risk of further geographical spread, according to the WHO.

In the current outbreak, 20 cases have been reported in Uganda, along with one case in France. Two cases that were diagnosed in the DRC subsequently received treatment in Germany. On July 30, the WHO announced that the most promising vaccine would be developed in Singapore, while the trial of a separate vaccine had begun in the UK.