{
  "id": 496202,
  "title": "‘We are chasing the virus’ – WHO warns of worsening Ebola outbreak in DR Congo",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/we-are-chasing-the-virus-who-warns-of-worsening-ebola-outbreak-in-dr",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-10T19:27:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/we-are-chasing-the-virus-who-warns-of-worsening-ebola-outbreak-in-dr-congo/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm about a worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), warning that the health authorities are playing catch-up as the disease has been spreading for at least three months before official declaration. Since May 15, the virus has claimed over 1,900 lives, making it the second-worst Ebola outbreak ever recorded. Infection rates remain high, raising concerns over the authorities' struggle to control the spread of the disease.\n\nThe outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, is centered in the eastern part of DR Congo, an area plagued by insecurity that has hindered control efforts. WHO Africa director Dr Mohamed Janabi, speaking at a news conference in the city of Bunia, said that the virus is currently 'ahead of us,' highlighting the urgent need to contain the outbreak.\n\nJanabi cited research that suggests the virus began spreading in February, initially misdiagnosed as malaria or typhoid. The virus's rapid spread, coupled with the challenging environment caused by insecurity, has resulted in health workers only reaching around 30% of the cases, with the rest dying at home. Traditional burial practices and suspicion of health authorities in some communities have also complicated the situation.\n\nDespite the difficulties, several dedicated treatment centers have been established in the eastern part of DR Congo, leading to more timely diagnoses. So far, there have been 4,294 confirmed cases and 1,960 deaths, according to DR Congo's health ministry. This current outbreak surpasses the largest recorded Ebola outbreak in history, which occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016 and resulted in 11,325 deaths.",
  "summary": "The latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo began at least three months before it was officially declared – meaning the health authorities are still playing catch-up, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. More than 1,900 people have died from the virus since that declaration on 15 May, making this the second-worst […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "DR Congo begins Ebola and cholera screening for 255 passengers after Congo River boat incident",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/dr-congo-begins-ebola-and-cholera-screening-for-255-passengers-after",
        "published": "2026-08-06T14:53:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "Congo’s Ebola outbreak surpasses 4,000 cases",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/congos-ebola-outbreak-surpasses-4-000-cases",
        "published": "2026-08-07T09:52:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Nation Africa",
        "title": "Congo's Ebola outbreak surpasses 4,000 cases",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/congos-ebola-outbreak-surpasses-4-000-cases",
        "published": "2026-08-09T03:35:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Ebola case count set to increase as Congo officials track hidden infections",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/ebola-case-count-set-to-increase-as-congo-officials-track-hidden",
        "published": "2026-08-10T07:24:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "WHO says Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak started months before it was declared",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/who-says-congos-fast-moving-ebola-outbreak-started-months-before-it",
        "published": "2026-08-10T13:23:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Suspected ebola in Israel: Man who returned from Congo quarantined in hospital",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/suspected-ebola-in-israel-man-who-returned-from-congo-quarantined-in",
        "published": "2026-08-11T05:57:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Ebola death toll in DR Congo outbreak rises to more than 2,000",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/ebola-death-toll-in-dr-congo-outbreak-rises-to-more-than-2-000",
        "published": "2026-08-11T11:07:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Ebola death toll in DR Congo outbreak rises to more than 2,000, officials say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/ebola-death-toll-in-dr-congo-outbreak-rises-to-more-than-2-000-562390",
        "published": "2026-08-11T11:12:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Ebola death toll in DR Congo outbreak rises to more than 2,000",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/ebola-death-toll-in-dr-congo-outbreak-rises-to-more-than-2-000-564659",
        "published": "2026-08-11T11:46:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "2,000 people in Congo dead amid rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/2-000-people-in-congo-dead-amid-rapidly-expanding-ebola-outbreak",
        "published": "2026-08-11T20:06:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}