DRC Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak fastest-growing

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing its 17th Ebola outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists. Declared on May 15, 2026, the outbreak has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record, with over 1,926 confirmed cases and 702 deaths as of mid-July. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that 80% of new cases come from unknown chains of transmission, and the true scale may be 2-4 times larger than reported. The outbreak has spread from Ituri province to North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, and Haut-Uele provinces, and cases have been confirmed in Uganda. Response efforts are hampered by funding gaps, attacks on health centers, community mistrust, and ongoing conflict involving the March 23 Movement. Clinical trials for treatments (remdesivir and MBP134) began in early July. The UN has released $60 million for response, and the UK has committed £21 million. The Africa CDC has called for $16 million to fund therapeutic trials. The outbreak poses significant risks to regional stability and economic activity, with potential GDP losses of up to $3.6 billion in a worst-case scenario.