Congo Ebola outbreak records highest first-month case total in history with over 1,000 infections

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a record-breaking Ebola outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, with 1,048 cases and 267 deaths recorded in its first month. The virus, which was detected late and spread rapidly through urban centers like Bunia, has also infiltrated crowded displacement camps, where 25 cases and 14 deaths are confirmed. While the WHO has scaled up treatment beds to over 500, officials warn the virus continues to outpace response efforts.

Record first-month case total

• ▪The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, declared on May 15, 2026, is centered in Ituri province and has seen 100 recoveries
• ▪The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo recorded 1,048 confirmed infections and 267 deaths within its first month
• ▪The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ministry of Health reported that at least 365 Ebola patients are currently hospitalized or treated in isolation

Urban transmission acceleration

• ▪Early confirmed cases of the Ebola outbreak were identified in urban centers including Bunia and the mining town of Mongbwalu
• ▪World Health Organization official Abdirahman Mahamud attributed the rapid spread of the Ebola outbreak to early confirmed cases occurring in urban centers

Late outbreak detection

• ▪Health officials have not identified the index case of the Ebola outbreak and are working to trace more than 35,000 exposed individuals
• ▪The Ebola outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists
• ▪Experts state the Ebola virus had been circulating for months before the outbreak was officially declared on May 15, 2026

Displacement camp infections

• ▪Justin Zanamuzi of Caritas reported that four children died at the Kigonze displacement camp since June 22, 2026, with test results pending
• ▪At least 25 Ebola cases, including 14 deaths, have been confirmed in crowded displacement camps in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

WHO response scaling efforts

• ▪World Health Organization official Abdirahman Mahamud reported that community and violent resistance to Ebola responders has begun to abate
• ▪World Health Organization official Abdirahman Mahamud stated that Ebola treatment beds were increased to over 500 within a fortnight

Historical Ebola outbreak comparison

• ▪The two largest previous Ebola outbreaks occurred in West Africa from 2014 to 2016, killing 11,000 people, and in Congo in 2018
• ▪There have been over 20 Ebola outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention