The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has infected 5,515 people and killed 2,642, according to the latest government figures reported on August 24, 2026. Fifty-one new cases were identified in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, according to information released Sunday. The current outbreak was declared in mid-May and is the country’s 17th Ebola outbreak.

The World Health Organization has declared the situation a public health emergency of international concern, with neighboring Uganda also under alert. Government data cited in the report said the death rate rose from about 20 percent in early June to nearly 48 percent, while another cited figure put the current rate above 85 percent. About 160 health workers have been infected and around 45 have died, WHO said.

Armed conflict, displacement, attacks on health staff and facilities, population movement for work, and infrastructure shortages are hampering containment. The outbreak involves the relatively rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment is available. WHO pledged 70,000 doses of Ervebo vaccine and said response efforts must increase two to three times.