UN warns Ebola outbreak in DRC could cost Africa $3.6 billion and hundreds of thousands of jobs

The United Nations warns that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has infected 1,307 people and killed 377 since May 15, 2026, could trigger a major development crisis. In a worst-case scenario, the epidemic could cost Africa up to $3.6 billion and 328,000 jobs. Containment is hampered by the lack of a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain and local mistrust. Meanwhile, a government ban on public gatherings has sparked political controversy ahead of planned opposition protests.

DRC Ebola outbreak statistics

• ▪A smaller number of Ebola cases have been reported in Uganda, with experts warning of potential spread to South Sudan
• ▪The Ebola outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has infected 1,307 people and killed 377 since May 15, 2026

Economic impact projections

• ▪The United Nations Development Programme warns that the Ebola outbreak could cost Africa up to $3.6 billion and cause 328,000 job losses in a worst-case scenario
• ▪In the best-case scenario where the Ebola epidemic remains contained to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the cost to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's GDP is projected at $1 billion
• ▪The worst-case economic scenario assumes the Ebola virus spreads to Rwanda and Angola and coincides with higher fuel costs linked to the Iran crisis

Outbreak containment challenges

• ▪There is currently no tested vaccine or treatment available for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola causing the outbreak
• ▪Aid workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo face local community mistrust while trying to arrange safe burials to prevent contact with deceased Ebola victims
• ▪The epicentre of the outbreak is the conflict-hit province of Ituri, where the virus has frequently spread during traditional multi-day funerals

Government response measures

• ▪Opposition figures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have called the public gathering ban politically motivated as it was issued ahead of a planned protest on July 8, 2026
• ▪The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued a ban on public gatherings in four provinces, including Kinshasa, to combat the spread of Ebola