The Democratic Republic of Congo’s fight against Ebola has reached a tipping point. It can accelerate what it has been doing to bring the latest outbreak under control, or risk allowing it to persist as the worst Ebola epidemic ever recorded.
As at 1 September 2026, more than 6,186 confirmed cases and 3,007 deaths have been reported since May 2026 when it was first declared. It is the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the history of the DRC. The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus that causes Ebola disease. There is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo.
