Current Ebola outbreak worst ever in DR Congo, WHO says
The current strain has so far killed 1,587 people, and there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing its most severe Ebola outbreak to date.
As of July 30, there have been 3,605 confirmed cases, resulting in 1,587 deaths, which translates to a 44% fatality rate.
This current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, was declared on May 15, 2026. It has now surpassed the previous largest outbreak, which occurred between 2018 and 2020, recording nearly 3,500 cases and almost 2,300 fatalities.
Currently, there is no approved vaccine or treatment specifically for the Bundibugyo strain, though vaccines are under development in the UK and Singapore.
Ebola, a disease transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, has claimed 15,000 lives across Africa over the past five decades.
In a statement posted on X, the WHO indicated that the outbreak is "intensifying, with sustained transmission and continued increases in reported cases and deaths."
The organization noted that the past week saw the highest weekly totals for the outbreak, with 567 cases and 296 deaths.
These figures, the WHO warned, highlight "the exceptional pace of transmission."
"Factors like insecurity, population displacement, and cross-border movement continue to hamper response efforts and increase the risk of further spread," the statement added.
The epicenter of the outbreak is Ituri province in the northeastern part of the country, which shares borders with South Sudan and Uganda.
However, the virus has also spread to other regions, including North and South Kivu provinces, where significant areas are under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group.
The WHO reiterated, "The convergence of insecurity, population displacement and mobility, and cross-border movements complicate response operations and increase the risk of further geographical spread."
In related news, a UK humanitarian worker is being monitored for Ebola in a London hospital. Discussions are ongoing about the nature of Ebola and the challenges in containing the current outbreak. The DR Congo has also initiated legal proceedings against Rwanda in an international court concerning decades of conflict.
During the current outbreak, 20 cases have been reported in Uganda and one in France. Additionally, two cases diagnosed in the DR Congo later received treatment in Germany.
On July 30, the WHO announced that the "most promising" vaccine would be developed in Singapore, while a trial for a separate jab has commenced in the UK.