The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has issued a warning that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is spiralling out of control. Since the outbreak was declared on May 15, 2026, there have been 3,802 reported cases and 1,707 deaths, making it the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever documented.

Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya stated that the response efforts are falling short, with contact tracing no longer effectively containing the virus. During a visit to Bunia on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Kaseya revealed that nearly 70% of new infections are occurring outside known contact lists, indicating widespread community transmission and highlighting the urgent need for a new strategy.

Kaseya also noted that this outbreak has become the world's second-largest Ebola outbreak and has grown seven times faster than the 2014-2016 West African epidemic over the same 14-week period.

World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi, who accompanied Kaseya to Bunia for the inauguration of a new Ebola treatment centre, reported that daily laboratory testing has increased from around 30 samples to more than 2,000. Treatment capacity has also expanded to approximately 1,000 beds.

Efforts to contain the virus have been complicated by factors including the inability to identify the index case, insecurity related to armed conflict, population displacement, and illegal mining activities, all of which have hindered contact tracing.

More than 100 healthcare workers have been infected since the outbreak began. The majority of cases remain concentrated in Ituri province, with infections also confirmed in five other provinces, including Kisangani.

Sources