DR Congo Ebola outbreak becomes world's second-largest ever
The Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the second-largest Ebola epidemic in history and the fastest-spreading in the country's history. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reports over 1,700 deaths in 14 weeks, warning that contact tracing is failing to contain the virus. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros has visited the region, stating that efforts to combat the outbreak must be urgently and massively scaled up. The virus is currently stalking crowded camps as cases surge in specific hotspots.
What changed
Death tolls rose above 1,700 and evidence emerged that the outbreak likely began in January, months before the official May declaration.
Live updates
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DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Deaths Surpass 1,700 as Virus Spreads
The Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the second-largest Ebola epidemic in history and the fastest-spreading in the country's history. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reports over 1,700 deaths in 14 weeks, warning that contact tracing is failing to contain the virus. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros has visited the region, stating that efforts to combat the outbreak must be urgently and massively scaled up. The virus is currently stalking crowded camps as cases surge in specific hotspots.
Why it matters
This crisis follows the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak, which remains the largest Ebola event globally. The current surge is the worst ever recorded within the DRC. It is characterized by rapid growth and a high fatality rate.
What is confirmed
- The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
- This is the second-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded.
- The virus is the fastest-spreading in the history of the Congo.
- The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recorded more than 1,700 deaths in 14 weeks.
- WHO Director-General Tedros visited the DR Congo to call for a massive scale up of efforts.
Still unconfirmed
- A field study found more than 500 cases in Mongbwalu starting in mid-January.
What to watch next
- Results of the scale-up efforts ordered by the WHO
- Updates on the effectiveness of contact tracing in hotspots
- Official confirmation of the outbreak start date in Mongbwalu
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (8)
- www.forbes.com — The Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Congo Declared In May Likely Began In January
- consent.yahoo.com — Rep. Elaine Luria seeks democratic nomination for Second Congressional District
- www.irishtimes.com — ‘We will all die from Ebola here’: Virus stalks crowded camps in Congo
- economictimes.indiatimes.com — COVID-19 Vaccine
- www.africanews.com — DRC: Africa CDC sounds alarm as Congo Ebola outbreak turns deadliest yet
- economictimes.indiatimes.com — India News
- www.africanews.com — Ebola crisis deepens in DR Congo as cases surge in hotspots
- en.tempo.co — WHO's Tedros Visits DR Congo as Ebola Outbreak Accelerates
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DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Death Toll Surpasses 1,700
The Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is now the second-largest and fastest-spreading Ebola epidemic in history. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 1,700 deaths within 14 weeks as contact tracing fails to contain the virus. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros has visited the region, calling for an urgent and massive scale-up of efforts to combat the acceleration of the disease. The crisis is currently intensifying in specific hotspots and crowded camps.
Why it matters
This outbreak is the worst ever recorded within the DRC. It follows a pattern of rapid growth that has surpassed previous epidemiological models. The scale of the epidemic is second only to the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak.
What is confirmed
- The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
- The current epidemic is the second-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded.
- The virus is the fastest-spreading in the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recorded more than 1,700 deaths in 14 weeks.
Still unconfirmed
- The outbreak likely began in January with over 500 cases in Mongbwalu months before the official May declaration.
- Contact tracing is failing to contain the virus.
What to watch next
- Data on whether the scale-up of efforts requested by Tedros reduces the fatality rate
- Reports on the effectiveness of containment measures in crowded camps
- Updated case counts from the World Health Organization
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (8)
- www.forbes.com — The Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Congo Declared In May Likely Began In January
- consent.yahoo.com — Rep. Elaine Luria seeks democratic nomination for Second Congressional District
- www.irishtimes.com — ‘We will all die from Ebola here’: Virus stalks crowded camps in Congo
- economictimes.indiatimes.com — COVID-19 Vaccine
- www.africanews.com — DRC: Africa CDC sounds alarm as Congo Ebola outbreak turns deadliest yet
- economictimes.indiatimes.com — India News
- www.africanews.com — Ebola crisis deepens in DR Congo as cases surge in hotspots
- en.tempo.co — WHO's Tedros Visits DR Congo as Ebola Outbreak Accelerates
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DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Becomes World's Second-Largest Ever
The Democratic Republic of Congo is battling the second-largest Ebola epidemic in global history, surpassed only by the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. The World Health Organization reports 3,605 confirmed cases and a 44% fatality rate as of July 30, 2026. Congolese authorities confirm the death toll has exceeded 1,500, with more than 3,500 people infected. The outbreak is described as the fastest growing in the history of the virus and the worst ever recorded within the DRC.
Why it matters
This epidemic is driven by the Bundibugyo virus strain. Response efforts are hindered by armed conflict, population displacement, and severe healthcare resource shortages. Fear of the virus has led some pregnant women to avoid hospitals, increasing maternal mortality.
What is confirmed
- The Ebola outbreak in the DRC is the second-largest ever recorded globally.
- The death toll in the current outbreak has passed 1,500.
- The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain.
- The World Health Organization reported 3,605 confirmed cases and a 44% fatality rate as of July 30, 2026.
- This is the fastest growing Ebola outbreak in the history of the virus.
Still unconfirmed
- Pregnant women in eastern Congo are dying around childbirth because they avoid hospitals due to Ebola fears.
What to watch next
- WHO updates on the scaling of the health response to the intensifying outbreak.
- Changes in the total case count and fatality rate following the July 30 report.
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (13)
- The Guardian — Ebola outbreak in DRC the fastest growing in the history of the virus
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
- Al Jazeera — DR Congo Ebola epidemic becomes world’s second largest outbreak
- dw.com — DR Congo Ebola outbreak becomes world's second-largest ever
- CNN — Fast-growing Ebola outbreak in DRC surges to second-largest on record
- aljazeera.com — DR Congo’s Ebola death toll passes 1,500 as it struggles to halt spread
- World Health Organization (WHO) — Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus - Democratic Republic of the Congo
- BBC — Ebola Bundibugyo strain outbreak worst ever in DR Congo, WHO says
- medicalxpress.com — Outbreak in DR Congo 'intensifying': WHO
- www.medindia.net — DR Congo Battles World's Second Largest Ebola Epidemic
- apnews.com — More pregnant women are dying in Congo as they avoid hospitals over Ebola
- en.tempo.co — Could Singapore Face a Cyclosporiasis Outbreak? What to Know