{
  "id": 724853,
  "title": "Ebola outbreak on track to be deadliest ever, WHO chief says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/ebola-outbreak-on-track-to-be-deadliest-ever-who-chief-says",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-13T01:31:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC World",
    "slug": "bbc-world",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgk4pex4mn8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is poised to become the deadliest in history, according to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO). The current outbreak, which began in May, has already resulted in over 4,300 cases and more than 2,000 deaths. WHO officials hope to curb the spread of the disease within three months, but warn that this does not necessarily mean the outbreak will end. The epidemic was likely active for at least three months before it was officially declared.\n\nThe virus responsible for this outbreak is the rare Bundibugyo species, which has only caused two known outbreaks in the past. Unlike other Ebola strains, there are no approved vaccines or treatments for Bundibugyo. The ongoing instability in the region exacerbates the challenge of controlling the disease, as health workers can only reach approximately 30% of the cases.\n\nSymptoms of Ebola resemble those of the flu or malaria, with fever, headache, and tiredness appearing suddenly. As the disease progresses, vomiting and diarrhea can develop, leading to organ failure. The virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids like blood or vomit.\n\nIn response to the outbreak, the UK's medicines regulator, the MHRA, has approved the first human trials of a vaccine for Bundibugyo, developed by a team from the University of Oxford. Three other groups are also working on different vaccines, though they have not yet entered clinical trials. The WHO is also funding a separate clinical trial in Congo to test the effectiveness of two existing antiviral therapies in improving survival rates.",
  "summary": "The outbreak, declared on 15 May, has caused more than 2,000 deaths, with thousands more reported cases.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "This Ebola outbreak has claimed over 2,000 lives. Here’s why it is so hard to contain",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/this-ebola-outbreak-has-claimed-over-2-000-lives-heres-why-it-is-so",
        "published": "2026-08-11T14:19:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "This Ebola outbreak has claimed over 2,000 lives. Here’s why it is so hard to contain",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/this-ebola-outbreak-has-claimed-over-2-000-lives-heres-why-it-is-so-576128",
        "published": "2026-08-11T14:23:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "This Ebola outbreak has claimed over 2,000 lives. Here's why it is so hard to contain",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/this-ebola-outbreak-has-claimed-over-2-000-lives-heres-why-it-is-so",
        "published": "2026-08-12T00:30:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "New transmission from animals likely caused Congo-Uganda Ebola outbreak, study says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/new-transmission-from-animals-likely-caused-congo-uganda-ebola",
        "published": "2026-08-12T04:21:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mongabay",
        "title": "As DRC confronts largest Ebola outbreak, health agencies revise strategy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/as-drc-confronts-largest-ebola-outbreak-health-agencies-revise",
        "published": "2026-08-12T11:11:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "DR Congo Ebola outbreak set to become deadliest on record, WHO warns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/dr-congo-ebola-outbreak-set-to-become-deadliest-on-record-who-warns",
        "published": "2026-08-12T18:23:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Qatar Tribune",
        "title": "WHO warns of a record-breaking Ebola outbreak in the Congo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/who-warns-of-a-record-breaking-ebola-outbreak-in-the-congo",
        "published": "2026-08-12T21:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "WHO aims to reverse DR Congo Ebola outbreak in 3 months",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/who-aims-to-reverse-dr-congo-ebola-outbreak-in-3-months",
        "published": "2026-08-12T21:08:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Congo’s Ebola outbreak on track to surpass deadliest in history, WHO chief says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/congos-ebola-outbreak-on-track-to-surpass-deadliest-in-history-who",
        "published": "2026-08-13T04:30:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "Ebola outbreak on track to be deadliest ever, WHO chief says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/ebola-outbreak-on-track-to-be-deadliest-ever-who-chief-says-746337",
        "published": "2026-08-13T07:39:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}