WHO Reports Daily Ebola Cases Rising in DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently facing a critical Ebola outbreak, with the World Health Organisation's Health Emergencies Programme Executive Director, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, reporting 50 to 80 new confirmed cases daily. As of now, the outbreak has reached about 10,000 cases and nearly 5,000 deaths since it was declared on May 15, 2026.

The affected regions include eastern and northeastern parts of the country, particularly Ituri and North Kivu provinces, where insecurity and inadequate health infrastructure hinder containment efforts. This outbreak is the 17th in the country and is nearing the death toll of the previous deadliest outbreak from 2018 to 2020, which saw nearly 2,300 deaths from about 3,500 cases.

The current outbreak's fatality rate is reported at 45.9 percent. Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba indicated that the outbreak has not yet peaked.

Concerns have also been raised regarding vaccine availability, as there is no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain responsible for this outbreak.