WHO says DR Congo Ebola outbreak is second largest on record

September 2, 2026 at 10:01 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The World Health Organization said the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the second largest on record, with more than 6,000 cases and 3,000 deaths. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak is the fastest-spreading he has seen and continues to threaten the region.

Key Facts

The outbreak has surpassed 6,000 cases and 3,000 deaths, making it the second largest Ebola outbreak on record.
Ituri province accounts for 85% of cases and 88% of deaths, remaining the epicenter of the outbreak.
The outbreak currently affects 60 health zones across six provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
WHO has deployed more than 300 experts and over 330 tons of emergency supplies to support the response.
Safety trials for two new vaccines against the Bundibugyo virus are underway in the UK and Canada.

Outbreak Scale

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the outbreak as the second largest and fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak ever recorded. The outbreak has spread across six provinces and 60 health zones, covering a very wide geographical area. Ituri province remains the epicenter, accounting for 85% of cases and 88% of deaths. Many deaths occur among people not on known contact lists, indicating unknown transmission chains.

Response and Vaccines

WHO is working with the DRC government, Africa CDC, and other partners to expand every aspect of the response. More than 300 experts and over 330 tons of emergency supplies have been deployed to the affected area. Safety trials for two new vaccines against the Bundibugyo virus are underway in the UK and Canada. An approved vaccine exists for the Zaire ebolavirus, but its effectiveness against Bundibugyo virus is unknown. WHO is working with partners to advance all three vaccines into efficacy trials in DRC starting in October or November.

Regional Threat

Ghebreyesus warned that the outbreak will continue until every transmission chain is found and broken. The outbreak poses a threat to DRC, its neighbors, and the entire region. The affected area has suffered decades of conflict, displacement, poverty, and hunger. Unsafe burials of Ebola victims are fueling transmission, and many deaths occur outside treatment centers.