New UN-backed centres have opened in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as confirmed Ebola cases sharply increased over the weekend, marking the largest outbreak of the highly contagious disease in the country's history.

As of 30 July 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 3,605 confirmed Ebola cases and 1,587 deaths since the outbreak was first declared in mid-May. The most recent week recorded the highest numbers with 567 new cases and 296 deaths. Over the past two months, the outbreak has spread to five additional provinces, now affecting 49 health zones, with 33 zones still reporting active cases.

Ituri province remains the hardest hit, accounting for 88% of confirmed cases and 82.6% of deaths nationwide. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced that health partners will open the largest Ebola treatment centre in the DRC this week, complementing an existing transit centre.

Carl Skau, acting chief of the World Food Programme (WFP), emphasized the urgency of the situation following a visit to eastern DRC: “Ebola is moving fast, hitting people already facing conflict and hunger. Communities are key to ending it, but need support.”

WHO confirmed this outbreak has surpassed the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which resulted in 3,317 confirmed cases. The agency highlighted that insecurity, population displacement, mobility, and cross-border movements complicate response efforts and increase the risk of further spread. Approximately 270,000 people displaced by violence live in camps across Ituri province, where conditions favor disease transmission.

Sources