Ebola Outbreak in Congo Becomes Deadliest in the Country's History With Over 2,300 Deaths
The 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed more than 2,325 people, making it the deadliest in the country's history. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, has spread across six provinces and nearly 5,000 confirmed cases.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is battling the deadliest Ebola outbreak in its history, with more than 2,325 deaths confirmed as of mid-August 2026, according to the World Health Organization.
The outbreak, identified as the 17th Ebola epidemic in the DRC, was officially reported on May 14, 2026. It is caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, a strain for which no specific approved vaccine or treatment currently exists. As of August 16, total confirmed cases reached 4,966, putting the case fatality rate at roughly 47 percent.
The virus has spread across six provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, and Bas-Uele. By mid-August, 54 of 151 health zones in the country had been affected.
Uganda reported two deaths linked to the outbreak but declared an end to its local transmission on July 28, 2026, after 42 days without new confirmed cases.
Health officials say the response has been complicated by armed conflict in the region. Groups including the ADF, CODECO, and M23 have disrupted humanitarian access and healthcare operations. Shortages of personal protective equipment and limited medical infrastructure have also contributed to the spread.
The WHO has described the outbreak as the fastest-growing and second-largest Ebola epidemic in history, trailing only the 2013-2016 West Africa outbreak that killed more than 11,000 people.
International risk remains low. Cases were reported in Uganda, and individuals were medically evacuated to Germany and France, but no secondary transmission has been confirmed outside the DRC.
