The Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo Has Become the Largest in the Country's History

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become the largest in the country's history. As of July 30, the WHO reported 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths, with a mortality rate of approximately 44%. The current outbreak is attributed to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus and was declared on May 15, 2026.The WHO reported 567 new cases and 296 deaths in the past week, marking the highest weekly increase since the outbreak began. Security issues, population movement, displacement, and cross-border activities are hindering efforts to combat the outbreak, increasing the risk of the virus spreading to wider areas. The epicenter of the outbreak is in the Ituri province, near the border with South Sudan and Uganda, with cases also reported in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.