Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC spreading rapidly with nearly 750 suspected cases, WHO warns
The World Health Organization warns an Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is "spreading rapidly," with nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths. The WHO has raised the national risk level to "very high" amid ongoing armed conflict that complicates response. A recent security incident destroyed medical supplies, and an American doctor has been evacuated to Germany for treatment.
Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC
▪As of May 23, 2026, at least 82 cases of Ebola and seven deaths have been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
▪The epicenter of the current Ebola outbreak is in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.
▪The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in almost 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths.
WHO risk assessment upgrade
▪The WHO's risk assessment for the Ebola outbreak remains "high" at the regional level and "low" at the global level.
▪The World Health Organization (WHO) has upgraded its risk assessment for Ebola spread within the Democratic Republic of the Congo from "high" to "very high."
▪WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated the epidemic in the DRC is "much larger" than confirmed cases indicate.
Armed conflict displacement crisis
▪The outbreak's epicenter is located in a "highly insecure" area of the DRC due to ongoing armed conflict which has sparked a displacement crisis.
▪Contact tracing efforts for Ebola are very low in Ituri province, particularly in the city of Bunia.
Security incident against medical facilities
▪On May 21, 2026, a security incident in Ituri province involved medical tents and supplies being set on fire.
▪The May 21 security incident "significantly jeopardized" Ebola response operations in the affected hotspot area.
American doctor Peter Stafford treatment
▪An American, Dr. Peter Stafford, contracted Ebola after treating patients in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
▪Dr. Stafford's wife and children are in quarantine at the same Berlin hospital as high-risk contacts and remain symptom-free.
▪Dr. Peter Stafford was evacuated to Germany and is receiving treatment in an isolation ward at Charite University Hospital in Berlin.
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