Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo reaches historic scale

A severe Ebola outbreak has emerged in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with government officials confirming that it is now the second-largest in history globally. As of July 31, 2026, the country has recorded 3,532 confirmed cases and 1,556 deaths, surpassing the total figures from the 2018-2020 epidemic in the region. This current crisis represents the 17th Ebola outbreak in the country and is described by authorities as spreading at an unprecedented rate, having accumulated these numbers in just over two and a half months.

The epidemic is concentrated in the eastern provinces of the DRC, an area long affected by ongoing armed conflict, which complicates containment efforts. The virus, which causes hemorrhagic fever and is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, remains difficult to control. While current figures are record-breaking for the nation, the largest global outbreak remains the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa, which resulted in 28,616 cases and 11,310 deaths according to the World Health Organization.

Authorities in Kinshasa continue to monitor the rapid transmission of the virus. The situation remains critical as health services struggle to address the outbreak amidst regional instability.