Congo Ebola outbreak tops 5,200 cases after 100 days
WHO Africa said more than 5,200 cases have been recorded 100 days after the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared an Ebola outbreak. Transmission is still outpacing control in a public health emergency of international concern — a severe regional health emergency, not a claim of worldwide spread.
On 24 August 2026, the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa reported that 100 days have passed since the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, and that more than 5,200 cases have been recorded. WHO Africa said a daily average of around 90 confirmed cases in the first three months is markedly higher than the same stretch of the 2014–2016 West Africa and 2018–2020 DRC Ebola outbreaks. The epidemic has reached a sixth province. Ituri remains the epicentre, accounting for about 85% of cases and 79% of deaths.
The latest WHO Disease Outbreak News, dated 14 August, put confirmed cases in the DRC at 4,665 and deaths at 2,184 as of 12 August — a case fatality ratio of 46.8%. WHO determined the event a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May 2026. Community deaths outside treatment centres accounted for around 60% of the 260 weekly fatalities recorded over the past six weeks, WHO Africa said. That points to delays in detection and care, not a change in how the virus itself behaves. Contact follow-up had improved to 84% as of 18 August.
No licensed vaccine or specific treatment exists yet for Bundibugyo virus disease. The response still runs on case finding, isolation, contact tracing, supportive care and community work. WHO advises against travel or trade restrictions with affected countries. Imported cases reported earlier in Uganda, France and Germany had not produced ongoing local chains in the 14 August DON. This is a severe national and regional health emergency. It is not evidence that the outbreak is spreading uncontrolled around the world.
Sources: WHO Africa news release, 24 August 2026, https://www.afro.who.int/countries/democratic-republic-of-congo/news/over-5200-cases-recorded-democratic-republic-congocrosses100-days-ebola-outbreak-declaration ; WHO Disease Outbreak News, 14 August 2026, https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON615 ; outbreak hub (PHEIC declared 17 May 2026), https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/ebola-disease/outbreak-drc-26