Congo Ebola outbreak spreading largely undetected, WHO warns scale may be up to four times larger than reported

Jul 10, 2026

The World Health Organization warns that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, is spreading largely undetected and could be up to four times larger than reported. The outbreak has killed over 600 people, with 70% of early deaths occurring outside treatment centres. The Bundibugyo strain's milder symptoms lead families to care for patients at home, increasing community transmission. Response efforts are hampered by funding shortages and healthcare worker strikes.

Undetected Ebola transmission scale

▪A confirmed Ebola case in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo, had no known epidemiological link to the existing outbreak, raising fears of undetected transmission chains.
▪The World Health Organization estimates the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be two to four times larger than the reported number of confirmed cases.
▪The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the fastest-growing on record.
▪Eighty percent of new confirmed Ebola patients in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo, have no known link to existing contact lists.

Bundibugyo strain milder symptoms

▪The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
▪Clinical trials of two potential treatments for the Bundibugyo strain, the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, began in July 2026.
▪Preliminary evidence suggests the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola may cause milder symptoms, reducing risk perceptions and leading families to care for sick relatives at home.

Community deaths outside facilities

▪The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed at least 600 people and infected over 1,750 people as of July 2026.
▪An analysis of the first 400 Ebola deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo outbreak found that approximately 70% occurred outside treatment centres.

Surveillance strengthening efforts

▪The follow-up rate for monitoring over 10,000 Ebola contacts in the Democratic Republic of Congo is 82%, short of the 95% target needed to control the outbreak.
▪The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is seeking an additional $18 million to fund clinical trials, strengthen surveillance, laboratory capacity, and case management.
▪Democratic Republic of Congo authorities began training 21,000 community health workers to conduct house-to-house visits and identify suspected Ebola cases.

Ituri province outbreak concentration

▪In Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, roughly one in two patients tested for Ebola turns out to be positive, indicating intense community transmission.
▪Approximately 90% of all reported Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo remain concentrated in Ituri province.