The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on August 12, 2026, that an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is accelerating, with the potential to surpass the West African outbreak from 2014 to 2016. The outbreak has resulted in over 2,000 deaths among more than 4,300 reported cases. Initially declared on May 15, officials noted that the outbreak began earlier in February, as indicated by genetic sequencing.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that if the outbreak continues at its current rate, it could exceed the death toll of the previous outbreak, which claimed over 11,000 lives across seven countries. The virus involved is a genetically distinct variant of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, and the outbreak is reportedly doubling in size approximately every 20 days, according to Tom Fletcher, the U.N. under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.
Abdirahman Mahamud, the WHO’s director of health emergency alert and response operations, mentioned that the outbreak is expected to peak within six months under a moderate scenario, with a worst-case scenario extending the outbreak to nine to twelve months. Challenges in responding to the outbreak include limited health infrastructure, ongoing conflict, and security concerns, which complicate contact tracing and infection control efforts. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the potential spread of the virus to neighboring countries such as Uganda, South Sudan, and Rwanda. Measures have been implemented to limit the risk of Ebola reaching the United States, including temporary flight restrictions for travelers who have been in the Congo within 21 days prior to their flight.