DR Congo Ebola outbreak deaths top 3,000

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing its deadliest Ebola outbreak on record, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain. As of early September 2026, government data show over 6,100 confirmed cases and more than 3,000 deaths, with a fatality rate near 49%. The outbreak, declared in mid-May, has spread to six provinces, fueled by conflict, displacement, attacks on health workers, and weak health infrastructure. The World Health Organization warns it is on track to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak, the deadliest ever. No vaccine or treatment is approved for Bundibugyo, but authorities have begun vaccinating frontline workers with Merck's Ervebo vaccine, which is licensed for the Zaire strain and may offer cross-protection. Clinical trials are underway for Bundibugyo-specific vaccines, including candidates from Moderna and the University of Oxford. The UN and partners have called for increased funding, with the response plan seeking over $1 billion, while insecurity and community mistrust hamper containment efforts. Neighboring countries, especially Burundi and the Central African Republic, are on alert for potential spillover.