Ebola outbreak in Congo becomes deadliest in country’s history, kills 2,325 people

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the deadliest in the country's history, claiming 2,325 lives and surpassing the death toll from the 2018-2020 outbreak, according to recent government data. As of Sunday, August 16, 2026, the number of confirmed infections has risen to 4,945, with 101 new cases reported in the preceding 24 hours.

This outbreak, Congo's 17th, has already outpaced the previous record for the number of cases and is now the second-deadliest Ebola outbreak globally, following the 2014-2016 West African epidemic. The case fatality ratio, representing the proportion of confirmed patients who die, has risen significantly from approximately 20% in early June to 46%, meaning nearly half of the confirmed patients are now dying.

The cause of the current outbreak is the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments. While experts attribute the increased death rate to issues with surveillance, late diagnosis, and limited access to treatment, the outbreak is ongoing and has strained health systems, particularly in eastern Congo where insecurity, displacement, community mistrust, and difficulties in accessing affected areas have complicated efforts to contain the virus.

The World Health Organization classified the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May 2026, and efforts are underway to support vaccine development and manufacturing.