Ebola Outbreak Now At Its Deadliest-Ever, Says DR Congo 

17th August, 2026 | News

Ebola Outbreak Becomes DR Congo’s Deadliest as Death Toll Rises to 2,325

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become the country’s deadliest recorded outbreak, with 2,325 deaths reported from 4,945 confirmed cases, according to government figures released on Monday.

The United Nations has described the outbreak as the fastest-growing on record, with the rapid increase in infections and fatalities raising concerns among health authorities and international organisations.

The current outbreak has surpassed the previous record set between 2018 and 2020, when Ebola killed 2,299 people in the DRC from 3,381 confirmed cases.

The outbreak began in Ituri Province in northeastern DRC, an area affected by prolonged conflict, before spreading to five additional provinces across the vast Central African nation.

The outbreak was officially declared on May 15, although health authorities believe the virus had already been circulating for several weeks before the declaration.

This is the DRC’s 17th recorded Ebola outbreak.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it hopes to bring the outbreak under control within three months, while health workers continue efforts to contain transmission, treat infected patients and protect frontline workers.

Ebola is a highly infectious viral disease that can spread through contact with infected bodily fluids and can cause severe illness and haemorrhagic fever.

The current outbreak has renewed concerns about the capacity of health systems in conflict-affected areas to respond effectively to rapidly spreading infectious diseases.

The deadliest Ebola outbreak globally occurred in West Africa between 2013 and 2016, when more than 11,300 people died, mainly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Across Africa, Ebola has claimed more than 15,000 lives over the past five decades, underscoring the continuing public health threat posed by the virus.