Archive · 24 Jul 2026
Congo's Ebola Outbreak Kills 1,000 Faster Than Ever
There's a really bad Ebola outbreak in Congo that has killed over 1,000 people.
It's spreading really fast, even faster than the big Ebola outbreak a few years ago.
This time, it's caused by a rare type of Ebola virus called Bundibugyo, which doesn't have a vaccine or treatment.
The outbreak is mostly in the eastern part of Congo, near Uganda.
The health officials are trying to stop it, but it's hard because people aren't going to the doctor soon enough.
The last big Ebola outbreak was really bad too, but this one is spreading faster.
It's important for people to be careful and for doctors to have the right tools to help.
Congo's current Ebola outbreak has killed over 1,000 people, reaching this milestone three times faster than the 2014-2016 outbreak.
The current outbreak has recorded 2,536 confirmed cases, with a 40% fatality rate.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare variant with no approved vaccines or treatments.
The 2014-2016 outbreak was caused by the Ebola virus, had a 66% fatality rate, and lasted about three years.
Officials blame most of the deaths in the current outbreak on patients reporting symptoms late.
- Who
- The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization
- What
- An Ebola outbreak that has killed over 1,000 people and recorded 2,536 confirmed cases
- When
- The outbreak was declared on May 15, 2019
- Where
- The outbreak is largely restricted to five provinces in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, close to the border with Uganda
- Why
- The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare variant with no approved vaccines or treatments, and officials blame most of the deaths on patients reporting symptoms late
Health Officials
Public Health Experts
Response Effectiveness
Health Officials
Health officials are working diligently to contain the outbreak and have made significant progress in identifying and treating cases.
Public Health Experts
Public health experts argue that the response has been inadequate and that more resources and international cooperation are needed to effectively control the outbreak.
- Current Outbreak Death Toll
- 1,033
- Current Outbreak Cases
- 2,536
- 2014-2016 Outbreak Death Toll
- 11,000+
- 2014-2016 Outbreak Cases
- 28,000+
- Current Outbreak Fatality Rate
- 40%
- 2014-2016 Outbreak Fatality Rate
- 66%
- Current Outbreak Virus
- Bundibugyo virus
- 2014-2016 Outbreak Virus
- Ebola virus