EBOLA OUTBREAK BECOMES DEADLIEST IN DR CONGO’S HISTORY AS DEATH TOLL REACHES 2,325

By: Pen Blog Media.

Date: Tuesday, 18th August, 2026 | 5th Rabī’ul Awwal, 1448 AH.

Health Workers at new Ebola outbreak

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become the deadliest recorded in the country’s history, after the official death toll rose to 2,325.

Figures released by the country’s public health authorities show that the outbreak has also produced 4,945 confirmed cases, with 101 new cases recorded in the latest 24-hour reporting period.

The latest death toll has surpassed the 2,299 deaths recorded during the 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak, previously the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

The current outbreak was officially declared on May 15, 2026, after Ebola was confirmed in Ituri Province in northeastern DRC. Health authorities identified the virus as the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, a relatively rare strain.

RAPIDLY EXPANDING HEALTH CRISIS

The outbreak has spread across several provinces, with Ituri remaining the most heavily affected area. Health authorities and international organisations have faced significant difficulties in containing the disease amid weak health infrastructure, insecurity, population movement and other humanitarian challenges.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has described the outbreak as a major emergency and is supporting efforts including disease surveillance, contact tracing, clinical care, supplies and community engagement.

The speed at which the outbreak has grown has also raised concern among health officials. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that the outbreak passed 1,000 confirmed cases within 40 days of response activation, considerably faster than the 2018 DRC outbreak reached the same milestone.

TREATMENT CHALLENGES

The Bundibugyo species involved in the current outbreak presents an additional challenge because there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain, according to the WHO. Researchers are nevertheless working to evaluate potential vaccines and treatments.

Health authorities have also reported difficulties identifying patients early enough for effective treatment. Late detection can significantly increase the risk of death and make efforts to interrupt transmission more difficult.

Despite the alarming figures, the current outbreak should not be confused with the 2014–2016 West African Ebola epidemic, which remains the deadliest Ebola outbreak globally, killing more than 11,000 people across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

For the Democratic Republic of Congo, however, the latest figures mark a grim milestone: the country is now facing its deadliest Ebola outbreak since the virus was first identified there in 1976.

Pen Blog Media will continue to monitor official updates from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organization and other reliable health authorities as the situation develops.