Congo Ebola Outbreak Becomes Deadliest in History, Deaths Exceed 3,000

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has become the deadliest in the country's history, with more than 6,186 confirmed cases and 3,007 deaths reported as of September 1, 2026.

Latest government data indicates over 6,250 people infected and 3,039 killed since the outbreak was declared on May 15. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes this as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record, with cases confirmed in six provinces. Health officials are now using anonymized mobile-phone data to map population movements and identify potential spread areas, a new approach for Ebola response.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which no licensed vaccine or specific treatment currently exists. It is believed to have originated in the Mongbwalu mining area of Ituri, north-east DRC, in late April 2026, spreading to Rwampara, Bunia, and Uganda. The response is led by the DRC government, supported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control, WHO, and other partners, and has successfully interrupted transmission in Uganda.

However, insecurity, population mobility, delayed detection, financing gaps, and insufficient community ownership continue to sustain transmission within the DRC. The WHO is preparing to launch trials for three potential Bundibugyo vaccines, possibly in October or November. Two new Bundibugyo vaccines are undergoing safety trials in the UK and Canada. The WHO also recommended a full-scale human trial of Ervebo, a vaccine for the Zaire strain, to assess its effectiveness against Bundibugyo.

A batch of 16,250 Ervebo vaccines arrived in the DRC in July for frontline medical personnel. Approximately 60 percent of deaths occur outside treatment centers, and six Ebola checkpoints ceased reporting last month due to unpaid staff.