Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1…

The death toll from the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has surpassed 1,500, according to official data released on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The outbreak, declared on May 15, has recorded 3,442 cases as of Tuesday, with 1,521 deaths, marking a 50% increase in just over a week. Health officials warn the crisis is outpacing response efforts, exacerbated by displacement, violence, and misinformation.

Congo’s Ebola Outbreak Surpasses 1,500 Deaths as Response Struggles with Violence and Misinformation

The outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo virus — without approved vaccines or treatments — has concentrated in eastern Congo’s Ituri province, which accounts for nearly 90% of cases. Additional cases have been reported in five provinces, including Kisangani, one of the country’s largest cities. As of Tuesday, 797 patients were in isolation or hospitalized, while 615 had recovered. However, contact tracing remains below the 95% target needed to curb transmission, with only 78% of known contacts monitored nationwide.

Displacement driven by armed conflict and illegal mining has complicated efforts to trace contacts, while attacks on health facilities have disrupted critical operations. International partners, including Africa CDC and Mercy Corps, temporarily relocated from Ituri’s Nyakunde health zone after a July 15 attack on a hospital and treatment center. The incident, sparked by a patient’s death, has left local health workers struggling with depleted supplies and heightened risks to their safety.

“The small stocks left are almost depleted,” said Dr. Désiré Duabo, chief medical officer for the Nyakunde health zone. “Partners had provided much of the supplies, equipment, and operational support.” Pierre Akilimali, Ebola response incident manager at the National Public Health Institute of the Congo, noted that attacks have created “anxiety among health workers” and hindered their ability to perform duties.

Despite these challenges, local health officials report that security in the region has stabilized. They are urging international partners to return, with Africa CDC indicating teams could redeploy as early as next week. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the risk of spread in Congo as “very high,” even as it maintains that global transmission risks remain low due to Ebola’s reliance on direct contact with bodily fluids.

The current outbreak has killed more people at a faster rate than any previous Ebola crisis, including the 2014-2016 epidemic, which took eight months to reach 1,000 deaths. Neighboring Uganda, which declared itself free of Ebola on Tuesday after discharging its last patient in mid-June, remains a cautionary example of rapid containment. However, in Congo, the combination of community resistance, logistical barriers, and ongoing violence has stalled progress.

Misinformation about the virus has further fueled tensions. Some residents reject the existence of Ebola, while restrictions on traditional funerals, meant to limit transmission, have provoked anger and attacks on health facilities. These dynamics have created a volatile environment for responders, who face both epidemiological and security challenges.

The WHO emphasized that cases detected outside the affected region have been swiftly contained, with no sustained transmission beyond Congo. However, the agency acknowledged the “very high” local risk, citing the outbreak’s rapid growth and the fragility of the response. Health workers in Ituri continue to operate amid dual threats: the virus itself and the violence that has disrupted their work.

As the outbreak enters its third month, the focus remains on restoring trust and expanding access to affected communities. With international partners hesitant to return and local supplies dwindling, the path to controlling the crisis remains uncertain. Officials warn that without sustained efforts, the death toll could continue to rise, deepening the humanitarian and public health emergency in eastern Congo.