{
  "id": 1677822,
  "title": "Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo becomes deadliest in country’s history",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/ebola-outbreak-in-democratic-republic-of-congo-becomes-deadliest-in",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-18T09:11:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Egypt Independent",
    "slug": "egypt-independent",
    "url": "https://www.egyptindependent.com/ebola-outbreak-in-democratic-republic-of-congo-becomes-deadliest-in-countrys-history/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 2,325 lives, surpassing the toll of the 2018-2020 outbreak and making it the deadliest in the country's history. As of the latest report, there have been 4,945 confirmed cases, including 101 new cases in the past 24 hours. The outbreak, which is the nation's 17th, was already the largest in terms of case count when it surpassed 4,000 infections in late July. The total death count now exceeds the 2,299 deaths recorded during the 2018-2020 outbreak. The current epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola with no approved vaccines or treatments, has a case fatality ratio of 46%, nearly double the rate in early June. Weak health infrastructure, community resistance, and instability have impeded efforts to control the outbreak, with delayed detection and inadequate care contributing to the high mortality rate. Experimental vaccines and therapies are being tested, but their effectiveness remains uncertain.",
  "summary": "Reuters — The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 2,325 people, government data showed on Sunday, surpassing the toll from the 2018-2020 outbreak to become the deadliest in the country’s history. DR Congo’s public health institute said in its latest report that confirmed cases had risen to 4,945, including 101 new cases detected … The post Ebola outbreak in Democratic…",
  "key_points": [
    "Ebola outbreak in DRC kills 2,325, surpassing 2018-2020 toll",
    "4,945 confirmed cases, 101 new in last 24 hours",
    "46% case fatality ratio, nearly double early June rate"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "WHO Africa",
        "title": "EBOLA BUNDIBUGYO VIRUS DISEASE OUTBREAK Democratic Republic of the Congo | Uganda Weekly External Situation Report 14, Data as of 16 August 2026",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/ebola-bundibugyo-virus-disease-outbreak-democratic-republic-of-the",
        "published": "2026-08-18T10:33:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}