DR Congo Ebola outbreak deadliest on record

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing its deadliest Ebola outbreak on record, caused by the rare Bundibugyo ebolavirus. As of August 19, 2026, the outbreak has surpassed 5,000 confirmed cases and over 2,300 deaths, making it the second-largest Ebola outbreak globally, behind only the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic. The outbreak was declared on May 15, 2026, but is believed to have been spreading since at least February, originating in the mining town of Democratic Republic of the Congo — Mongbwalu in Ituri province. The response is hampered by a lack of approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain, weak health infrastructure, ongoing armed conflict, community mistrust, and the highly mobile population of artisanal gold miners. The World Health Organization has warned that the outbreak is 'far from being under control' and is outpacing response efforts. International partners, including China, have sent medical teams, and vaccine trials are underway by Moderna and the University of Oxford. The UN has allocated additional emergency funding, but aid cuts and unpaid health workers have further strained the response.