{
  "id": 920395,
  "title": "Congo Ebola outbreak on track to become deadliest in history",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/congo-ebola-outbreak-on-track-to-become-deadliest-in-history-920395",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-14T22:45:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PBS NewsHour Science",
    "slug": "pbs-newshour-science",
    "url": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/congo-ebola-outbreak-on-track-to-become-deadliest-in-history"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is on track to become the deadliest in history, with the number of confirmed cases reaching over 4,600 and at least 2,100 deaths. This death toll was reached almost three times faster than the outbreak over a decade ago in West Africa. William Brangham spoke with epidemiologist Dr. Anne Rimoin, director of the Center for Global Health Security at UCLA, about the current crisis.\n\nDr. Rimoin noted that the Ebola outbreak in the DRC is the fastest growing yet, reminiscent of the outbreak that killed over 11,000 people more than a decade ago. She explained that the outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, which has a fatality rate of anywhere from a quarter to half of those infected. There are currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics for this particular strain.\n\nThe fragmented medical system in the DRC, lacking sufficient personnel and protective gear, is further complicating the situation. Additionally, fear and misinformation are rampant. Frontline health workers, who are already underpaid and facing job losses, are risking their lives to provide care. The United Nations emphasizes that ongoing violence related to Congo's lucrative mineral resources between Rwandan-backed groups and the Congolese military hinders access to medical care for those in need.\n\nDr. Rimoin stressed that the biggest challenges to containing this outbreak include insufficient support for healthcare workers, inadequate diagnostic tests for the Bundibugyo strain, and the need to rapidly increase testing capacity. She highlighted that the health care workers are essential to the response, and their lack of support jeopardizes the entire effort.",
  "summary": "The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to worsen, with the number of confirmed cases climbing to over 4,600. At least 2,100 people have died, a death toll that was reached almost three times faster than the outbreak over a decade ago. William Brangham discussed the crisis with epidemiologist Dr. Anne Rimoin, director of the Center for Global Health Security at UCLA.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Congo Ebola outbreak on track to become deadliest in history",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/congo-ebola-outbreak-on-track-to-become-deadliest-in-history-920758",
        "published": "2026-08-14T22:45:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mothership",
        "title": "Current Ebola outbreak on track to be deadliest with 2,000 deaths recorded: WHO chief",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/current-ebola-outbreak-on-track-to-be-deadliest-with-2-000-deaths",
        "published": "2026-08-15T18:57:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Ebola outbreak in DR Congo now deadliest in country's history",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/ebola-outbreak-in-dr-congo-now-deadliest-in-countrys-history",
        "published": "2026-08-16T22:05:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "World : Dr Congo Ebola Outbreak Deadliest In History As Death Toll Rises To 2,300",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/world-dr-congo-ebola-outbreak-deadliest-in-history-as-death-toll",
        "published": "2026-08-16T22:44:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ebola outbreak in DR Congo becomes deadliest in country’s history",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/ebola-outbreak-in-dr-congo-becomes-deadliest-in-countrys-history",
        "published": "2026-08-16T23:17:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo becomes deadliest in country's history",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/ebola-outbreak-in-democratic-republic-of-congo-becomes-deadliest-in",
        "published": "2026-08-17T02:57:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Ebola outbreak in Congo becomes deadliest in country’s history",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/ebola-outbreak-in-congo-becomes-deadliest-in-countrys-history",
        "published": "2026-08-17T03:26:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo becomes deadliest in country’s history",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/ebola-outbreak-in-democratic-republic-of-congo-becomes-deadliest-in-1407202",
        "published": "2026-08-17T03:26:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Moneyweb",
        "title": "Ebola outbreak becomes Congo’s deadliest as UN warns virus is ‘winning’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/ebola-outbreak-becomes-congos-deadliest-as-un-warns-virus-is-winning",
        "published": "2026-08-17T05:00:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Congo Ebola outbreak becomes deadliest in country's history as death toll reaches new peak",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/congo-ebola-outbreak-becomes-deadliest-in-countrys-history-as-death",
        "published": "2026-08-17T05:48:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}