WHO: Ebola outbreak in Congo is the largest ever

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing its worst Ebola outbreak in history, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As of early August 2026, more than 3,600 cases have been confirmed, with over 1,580 deaths attributed to the disease. The situation has worsened significantly in recent weeks, with 567 new infections and 296 deaths reported in just one week, the highest numbers recorded in a single week since the outbreak began. This surge highlights both improved surveillance efforts and increased laboratory testing capacity, but also underscores the rapid spread of the virus within communities. The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, is the largest in the country's history. Previously, the most severe outbreak occurred between 2018 and 2020, during which 3,317 cases were officially documented. According to data released this week by the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the WHO, the current outbreak has already claimed five times more lives in less than three months compared to previous outbreaks in the same timeframe. The Bundibugyo strain, however, does not yet have an approved vaccine or specific treatment available, though trials are currently underway for a newly developed vaccine. Health officials warn that the actual number of infected individuals is likely much higher than the confirmed figures. Many people who fall ill do not seek medical help, and families often attribute deaths to other causes. Additionally, traditional burial practices pose a significant risk, as family members can become infected through contact with the bodies of deceased loved ones. Humanitarian organizations have attempted to mitigate this risk by providing safe and dignified burials using protective gear and safety measures, but these efforts remain limited in scope. The response to the outbreak faces multiple challenges. Health workers are under threat from armed groups operating in eastern parts of the country, which have attacked health facilities and disrupted essential services. At the same time, international aid has declined due to reduced foreign assistance, compounding existing resource shortages. Africa CDC estimated earlier this month that $1.4 billion would be needed to contain the outbreak, three times the previous estimate. However, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has only allocated $213.9 million toward the planned expenditure of $242.4 million for the period from May to August, leaving a significant funding gap. Compounding these difficulties, travel restrictions imposed by the United States have hindered the arrival of humanitarian workers. The Trump administration banned American citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo from traveling back to the U.S. via regular flights at the beginning of the month, further limiting the ability to respond effectively to the crisis. Local health workers describe the situation as dire. A spokesperson for Caritas in Bunia, Angelique Gapio, stated that awareness campaigns have failed to reach affected communities, and healthcare workers are exhausted and traumatized. “The disease has taken root in the community,” she told Reuters. “People continue to seek treatment from traditional healers, and the chain of transmission continues.” According to WHO reports released earlier this month, the true scale of the outbreak could be up to four times larger than official statistics suggest. Efforts to control the outbreak are hampered by a lack of vehicles, staffing shortages, and community distrust. The Ebola virus, known for causing hemorrhagic fever, is highly contagious and has a high fatality rate. Transmission occurs through direct contact or exposure to bodily fluids, making containment particularly challenging in areas with limited resources and infrastructure. The situation remains critical as the virus spreads beyond the initial epicenter into neighboring regions. WHO has called for a substantial increase in efforts to manage the outbreak, emphasizing the need for stronger interventions to prevent further spread. With no effective vaccine or treatment currently available, the focus remains on improving surveillance, increasing access to medical care, and addressing the underlying factors contributing to the outbreak’s severity.