Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Declared Deadliest in Country's History

The 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has become the deadliest in the country's history, recording 4,945 cases and 2,325 deaths as of August 17, 2026.

The epidemic, caused by the rare Bundibugyo species, spread to a sixth province, Bas-Uele, on August 14, with approximately 90 percent of all cases concentrated in the original epicentre of Ituri.

World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that under a worst-case scenario, the epidemic could last nine to 12 months and potentially surpass the 11,300 deaths of the West Africa outbreak.