At least 131 individuals have died due to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with over 500 additional cases suspected, according to local authorities. The outbreak has also resulted in one reported death in neighboring Uganda.
The World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that the virus likely began spreading several weeks prior to its official detection at the end of April, suggesting that the actual number of cases could be significantly higher than reported.
In May 2026, the WHO declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC and related cases in Uganda as a public health emergency of international concern.
As of May 19, there are more than 513 suspected cases in the DRC, with confirmed instances also noted in Uganda. The WHO has emphasized that the true scale of the outbreak may exceed the current statistics.
The Red Cross has warned that the Ebola epidemic could rapidly escalate if cases are not identified early and if the healthcare system becomes overwhelmed, a situation that is already being observed.
DRC President Félix Tshisekedi has urged citizens to remain calm while staying vigilant.
Ann Ancia, a WHO representative, commented on BBC Newsday that the Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak, is a “very dangerous area with significant population movement,” complicating efforts to control the disease.
“The longer the investigation continues, the clearer it becomes that the disease has already spread to other provinces and across borders. The current outbreak is larger than the official data indicates, and the true extent of its spread remains unknown,” Ancia stated.
Understanding Ebola
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe viral illness caused by several related viruses within the Filoviridae family. It affects humans and some primates, leading to severe hemorrhaging, organ failure, and high mortality rates.
The WHO reports an average fatality rate of about 50% during outbreaks, although this can vary from 25% to 90% across different epidemics.
The virus is transmitted through:
- blood and other bodily fluids from an infected person;
- contact with contaminated objects;
- caring for the sick without protective gear;
- traditional burial practices involving contact with the deceased.
Ebola is not spread through respiratory droplets like influenza or COVID-19; direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person is necessary for transmission.
Initial symptoms resemble those of influenza, malaria, and other infectious diseases, including high fever, severe weakness, headaches, muscle pain, and sore throat. Some patients may also experience reddening of the eyes.
Later symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and impaired kidney and liver function. In severe cases, both internal and external bleeding may occur, typically appearing 8-10 days post-infection.
Current Outbreak Characteristics
This outbreak is caused by the less common Bundibugyo ebolavirus, for which there are no approved treatments or vaccines, unlike the more well-known Zaire ebolavirus.
Concerns are heightened as the virus may have been spreading for weeks before its official detection on April 24. According to the WHO, cases have been reported not only in the epicenter of Ituri but also in other regions, including Goma, one of the largest cities in eastern DRC.
The ongoing outbreak is further complicated by the region’s instability, marked by armed group activities and humanitarian crises, making it difficult for healthcare workers to locate patients and track their contacts.
Historical Context of Ebola Outbreaks
To date, there have been 17 recorded Ebola outbreaks. The virus was first identified in 1976, with initial outbreaks occurring in Zaire (now DRC) and Sudan, named after the Ebola River in Congo.
The largest outbreak in history occurred between 2014 and 2016, affecting Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, resulting in over 28,000 cases and more than 11,000 deaths. This prompted increased vaccine development and strengthened global epidemic response systems.
A second significant outbreak occurred in the DRC between 2018 and 2020, complicated by armed conflicts in the region, with isolated cases also reported in Uganda.
The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in at least 131 deaths and over 500 suspected cases. The WHO has declared it a public health emergency, emphasizing the potential for greater spread due to early undetected cases.