Congo’s Ebola outbreak has reached 6,000 confirmed cases and nearly 2,911 deaths, marking the fastest-spreading Ebola epidemic in history, according to authorities. The crisis, fueled by insecurity and displacement, has overwhelmed response teams and risks further cross-border spread.
The outbreak in eastern Congo has surpassed 6,000 confirmed cases with 2,911 deaths, according to official reports. Over 1,360 people have recovered, a development authorities called “encouraging.” The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the crisis is out of control, with the potential to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak, which killed over 11,000 people. The virus, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, has no approved vaccine or treatment, complicating containment efforts.
According to WHO, as of 16 May 2026, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths have been reported in at least three health zones in Ituri Province in DRC. An additional two confirmed cases with a history of travel from DRC have also been reported in Uganda. Eight of 13 samples* collected in the Rwampara health zone, Ituri Province, DRC, have tested positive for Bundibugyo virus. Community deaths among people with symptoms compatible with Ebola virus disease have been reported in Ituri Province, and suspected cases have been identified in both Ituri and North Kivu. Four deaths among healthcare workers have also been reported among people with symptoms consistent with viral haemorrhagic fever, raising concerns regarding healthcare-associated transmission. Information regarding transmission chains and affected population groups is currently limited, partly due to the complex context of ongoing insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the affected areas. According to WHO, neighbouring countries sharing land borders with DRC are considered at high risk for further spread due to population mobility, trade and travel links, and uncertainty about the transmission chains. The outbreak may also be larger than currently detected. There are also concerns related to this outbreak because it is caused by Bundibugyo virus rather than the more commonly detected Zaire ebolavirus. Unlike for Zaire ebolavirus, there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease.
The Escalating Crisis
The outbreak, declared in mid-May, is spreading rapidly across nearly 60 health zones, with most cases and deaths occurring outside monitored contact networks. Officials believe the virus has been circulating since February, exacerbated by insecurity, a health workers’ strike, and intense population movements. Displacement sites, where residents live in precarious conditions, are particularly vulnerable. Last week, the virus spilled into two new health zones, deepening fears of uncontrolled transmission.
Efforts to curb the outbreak have included airport closures, social distancing measures, and restrictions on public gatherings, disrupting life in six provinces. The government has installed health equipment in some areas, but advocacy groups argue more trust-building is needed. Neighboring Uganda, which recently declared itself free of Ebola, remains at risk of cross-border spread, the WHO said last week.
Challenges in Containment
Response teams face severe challenges, including attacks by armed groups. On Saturday, an Ebola response team was attacked on the outskirts of the town of Mambasa in Ituri province while responding to a call to secure a body. Young people armed with machetes stormed the site of the funeral, forcing the team to flee and injuring one member, a representative told The Associated Press. We demand greater security so we can operate in the field and do our work without endangering our lives,
said Floribert Magene, a member of the response team.
Bodies of Ebola victims remain highly contagious, posing risks during burials and funerals. Congolese authorities have mandated that burial efforts be managed by officials, a policy met with protests from families. The outbreak’s spread is further complicated by the Bundibugyo strain’s lack of an approved vaccine. Last week, Congo began vaccinating health and other front-line workers with the Ervebo vaccine, effective against the Zaire strain, while clinical trials for a Bundibugyo-specific vaccine continue.
Efforts and Obstacles
Congolese authorities have prioritized vaccinating health workers, but challenges persist. The response team’s attack highlights the dangers of operating in conflict-affected areas. Ituri province, already ravaged by rebel violence, remains a focal point for both the outbreak and insecurity. The WHO has emphasized the need for increased funding and community engagement to address mistrust and logistical barriers.
Despite these hurdles, officials note that 1,360 recoveries offer a glimmer of hope. However, the outbreak’s trajectory remains uncertain. With the virus spreading into new regions and containment efforts strained, the international community faces mounting pressure to scale up support. The WHO has reiterated its call for coordinated action to prevent further loss of life and regional destabilization.
The crisis underscores the fragility of public health infrastructure in conflict zones. As the outbreak continues to evolve, the focus will shift to whether improved security, community cooperation, and vaccine distribution can turn the tide against a virus that has already claimed thousands of lives.
