Ebola Outbreak Becomes Deadliest Ever in DRC

2,325 deaths have been reported in the DRC so far, surpassing the total number in the 2018-2020 outbreak.

Aug. 18, 2026

Key Highlights

- Over 2,300 deaths reported in the DRC, making it the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the country's history.
- The outbreak is spreading faster than the 2014-16 West Africa epidemic, with no effective vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain.
- The case-fatality rate remains high at around 46%, with recent weekly cases reaching record levels.
- International aid includes an additional $30.5 million from the UN to support containment efforts.
- Healthcare workers are significantly affected, with 155 confirmed cases among medical personnel.

The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has become the deadliest Ebola outbreak ever in the country. CIDRAP has the news.

So far, 2,325 deaths have been reported in the DRC. The largest outbreak ever recorded was a 2014-16 outbreak in West Africa, which killed 11,325. This current outbreak is moving at an even faster pace than that one, however. There is also no effective vaccine or therapeutics against the Bundibugyo strain, meaning it could become the world's deadliest in a matter of months.

The case-fatality rate is currently hovering around 46%. Due to this, the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund is allocating an additional $30.5 million to fight the outbreak. This comes in addition to $24 million already allocated to the DRC and neighboring countries.

The WHO's latest Disease Outbreak News update demonstrated that the outbreak currently shows no signs of abating. The most recent reporting week, August 3 to 9, saw the highest weekly number of reported cases (579) and deaths (304) so far. There have also been 155 confirmed cases among healthcare workers.