Ebola outbreak in DR Congo could become deadliest yet, WHO chief says


WHO chief speaking into microphone

By Tabby Wilson


Published 13 August 2026, 02:31 BST


The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on track to become the deadliest ever, according to the World Health Organization’s director‑general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.


He told reporters that the 2026 epidemic – at its present pace – would eclipse the 2014‑2016 outbreak that killed at least 11,000 people.


The outbreak, declared on 15 May, has reached at least 4,300 cases and caused more than 2,000 deaths. WHO hopes to reverse the spread within three months, though this goal means bringing transmission under control – not ending the outbreak entirely.


Health officials believe the epidemic began at least three months before its declaration. “We are chasing the virus, the virus is ahead of us,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Africa director, at a news conference in Bunia.


Research indicates the virus started spreading in February and was initially misdiagnosed as malaria or typhoid.


We’re dealing with the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which has only caused two known outbreaks in 2007 and 2012. No approved vaccine or recognised therapeutic drugs exist for this strain.


Regional instability near the outbreak’s epicentre has added to challenges in controlling spread. Health workers reach only about 30% of cases, according to Janabi.


Ebola is a rare but deadly viral disease, with symptoms appearing within 2 to 21 days of infection. Early signs – fever, headache, tiredness – may progress to vomiting, diarrhoea and organ failure.


The virus transmits through contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood or vomit.


The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the first human trials of a vaccine for Bundibugyo. The jab is being developed by a University of Oxford team using the same technology as the Oxford‑AstraZeneca COVID‑19 vaccine. Three other groups are also developing vaccines for Bundibugyo, though none have entered clinical trials yet.


WHO is sponsoring a separate clinical trial in DR Congo to test whether two existing antiviral therapies can improve survival rates.


Follow us for more news from the African continent: BBCAfrica.com. Connect on social media: @BBCAfrica on Twitter, BBC Africa on Facebook, or bbcafrica on Instagram.