WHO reports largest Ebola outbreak in DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with its most severe Ebola outbreak on record, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. The virus has now spread across five provinces, impacting 49 health zones with persistent transmission, increasing infections, and a rising death toll nationwide.

As of July 30, 2026, the DRC had documented 3,605 confirmed cases, resulting in 1,587 deaths, yielding a case fatality rate of 44 percent. The outbreak, initially localized in the Ituri Province, has expanded to North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo provinces, raising significant concerns about continued transmission.

Authorities reported the highest weekly figures to date during epidemiological week 30, with 567 new cases and 296 deaths, underscoring the escalating public health crisis. The WHO warned that factors such as insecurity, population displacement, and cross-border movements are hindering response efforts and heightening the risk of the disease spreading further.

While national authorities, the WHO, and partners are implementing response measures, the organization stressed the urgent need to scale up interventions to contain the outbreak. A regional preparedness framework is guiding activities across Africa, and neighboring countries are bolstering surveillance and preparedness. Notably, Uganda declared its own outbreak over on July 28, but the WHO urged continued vigilance, citing the ongoing transmission in the DRC as a significant risk for cross-border spread.