Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Ebola Outbreak in Congo Grows Exponentially as Deaths Top 2,500
A serious Ebola outbreak is spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
More than 2,500 people have died, and over 5,000 confirmed cases have been recorded.
The disease is spreading across a very large area.
Doctors and health workers are struggling to find and isolate everyone who may be infected.
Some people are afraid of the response and have attacked ambulances, clinics and health workers.
False rumors have also made it harder for communities to cooperate.
Health workers are becoming sick and dying too.
The United Nations says more money and help are needed soon.
A vaccine is available through a limited response and clinical trials, but it is not specifically approved for the Ebola strain causing this outbreak.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 5,290 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,516 deaths.
The outbreak has spread across six provinces and covers an area larger than France.
UN officials say transmission is outpacing efforts to monitor, isolate and treat patients.
More than 260 attacks on health workers have been reported in six months, while 160 workers have contracted Ebola and 43 have died.
Funding shortages, conflict, mistrust and limited treatment options are complicating the response.
- Who
- People in the Democratic Republic of Congo are affected, while Congolese and international health workers are leading the response.
- What
- An Ebola epidemic has recorded 5,290 confirmed cases and 2,516 deaths and is spreading faster than response teams can contain it.
- When
- Figures reported on August 20 recorded the stated case and death totals; the outbreak began in 2018.
- Where
- The outbreak began in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has spread across six provinces, and covers an area larger than France.
- Why
- Containment is being hindered by armed conflict, attacks on health workers, misinformation, community mistrust, funding shortages and the lack of an approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo species.
- Confirmed cases
- 5,290
- Reported deaths
- 2,516
- Affected area
- Six provinces in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, covering an area larger than France
- Health workers infected
- 160, including 43 deaths
- Attacks on health workers
- More than 260 reported during the previous six months
- Ebola species
- Bundibugyo species
- Vaccine response
- The World Health Organization and partners allocated 70,000 Ervebo doses, partly through clinical trials and for frontline-worker protection
