{
  "id": 2388367,
  "title": "Here’s data that shows Congo’s Ebola outbreak is on track to surpass history’s largest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/heres-data-that-shows-congos-ebola-outbreak-is-on-track-to-surpass-2388367",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-21T14:23:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/ebola-congo-bundibugyo-abb93b8f7383ec3f68091acb4828be1a"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Health officials in Nigeria report that an Ebola outbreak in Congo is not yet at its peak and could be three times larger than previously estimated. This is the fastest Ebola outbreak in history and could surpass the deadliest one in 2014-2016, which claimed over 11,000 lives. As of now, the outbreak has resulted in 2,516 deaths out of 5,290 confirmed cases in Congo's eastern region. The disease is spreading rapidly due to a highly mobile population, including those displaced by conflict, and widespread distrust of medical authorities. Currently, only 10% of cases are linked to known contacts, well below the 90-95% rate typically seen when an outbreak is under control. Experts believe the outbreak began in February, months before it was officially declared on May 15.",
  "summary": "ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The Ebola outbreak that is spreading at unprecedented speed in Congo has not peaked yet and could be three times the current known size, according to data from authorities and Africa’s top public health agency. It…",
  "key_points": [
    "Congo's Ebola outbreak could triple previous estimates, reaching up to 15,870 deaths.",
    "2,516 deaths and 5,290 confirmed cases reported in eastern Congo as of now.",
    "Outbreak began in February, ahead of official declaration on May 15."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Medical Xpress",
        "title": "Here's data that shows Congo's Ebola outbreak is on track to surpass history's largest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/heres-data-that-shows-congos-ebola-outbreak-is-on-track-to-surpass-2411773",
        "published": "2026-08-21T18:00:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}