The World Health Organization has warned that a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo could become the deadliest in the disease’s history. In a report published on August 13, the outbreak was said to have caused more than 4,300 infections and over 2,000 deaths, with health authorities struggling to keep pace with transmission.

The Congolese government formally declared the outbreak on May 15, although genetic analysis indicated that transmission began in February. The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no vaccine or treatment has yet been approved. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the current pace could surpass the death toll of the 2014-16 West African Ebola epidemic, which killed more than 11,000 people.

Remote terrain, continuing conflict near the borders with South Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda, weak infrastructure and limited resources are obstructing access to affected communities. Misinformation and strikes by unpaid health workers have also slowed response efforts. WHO official Abdirahman Mahamud said a moderate forecast projects a peak within six months, while a worse scenario could last nine to 12 months.

Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is strengthening health measures to protect nearby communities and endangered mountain gorillas as Ebola cases continue to emerge. The park launched an initial six-month emergency response after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak in the DRC and neighbouring Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May.

The park has set up six health checkpoints within and around its 300km protected forest area and deployed 40 paramedics with 80 rangers. Road checkpoints provide handwashing, temperature screening and first-level isolation centres. In Ituri province, checkpoints north and south of Bunia screen travellers from Ebola-affected areas, while the park has supplied health services with protective equipment, body bags, thermometers and vehicles.

Officials said two suspected cases were detected at checkpoints and referred to public health authorities for monitoring. Data collected there is sent to the Congolese National Institute of Public Health. Conservation teams are also monitoring gorilla health and screening visitors, as mountain gorillas are susceptible to human infectious diseases. No mountain gorilla has been infected with Ebola in Virunga or elsewhere in the DRC, according to veterinarian Eddy Syaluha.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has worsened, with deaths rising to 1,354, according to a report published on July 26, 2026. Deaths increased by nearly 40 percent in the previous five days. The latest government data put the combined total of infections and deaths at 3,075, up 27 percent from the previous week.

Experts warned that the virus is spreading through the country “like wildfire.” Al Jazeera described the rise in infections and deaths as unprecedented and said it is Congo’s fastest-moving Ebola outbreak to date. Health expert Abdul Sami Nasidi said the lack of an effective vaccine is the main reason for the rapid spread.

Control efforts have become more difficult in conflict-affected areas, where even minimal health infrastructure has not remained, Nasidi said. The circulating Bundibugyo variant is one of four rare Ebola variants and has no approved vaccine. Oxford University’s Oxford Vaccine Group said it has rapidly developed a vaccine and has administered it experimentally to one volunteer.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported more than 500 deaths from the ongoing Ebola outbreak, according to the World Health Organization. As of July 4, at least 506 people had died and 1,561 were confirmed infected. The outbreak, officially declared on May 15, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which no vaccine or treatment currently exists. WHO has begun two clinical trials and authorized emergency use of a molecular diagnostic test.

The outbreak’s epicenter is believed to be Mongbwalu in Ituri province, where the fatality rate has reached 50.7 percent. Health authorities have not yet identified the first patient, and thousands of potential contacts remain untraced. The first month of this outbreak has been the deadliest on record. Neighboring Uganda has reported two deaths and 20 confirmed cases.

The situation has been further strained by a strike threat from frontline health workers in Ituri, who cite unpaid allowances, poor working conditions, and lack of supplies. The virus has also spread near North and South Kivu provinces, where conflict and limited access complicate containment efforts.

DR Congo achieved a historic milestone at the FIFA World Cup by securing their first-ever point after a 1–1 draw against Portugal. The match, held on June 19, 2026, saw 29-year-old forward Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United score a remarkable header in first-half injury time from an Arthur Masuaku cross. His goal not only gave the team a valuable result but also made him DR Congo’s first World Cup goalscorer. Wissa also became the first player in the nation’s history to score in both the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.

In a post-match interview, Wissa expressed joy over the team’s performance against one of the world’s strongest sides. He reflected on the ongoing armed conflict in eastern DR Congo, where violence and displacement have deeply affected civilians. Wissa dedicated the moment to his compatriots, saying he hoped for peace to return to their lives.

The goal and the draw symbolized more than sporting success for DR Congo, offering a rare moment of unity and hope for a nation enduring prolonged instability.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the number of suspected Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 900. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared the update on social media on Sunday, noting that intensified surveillance efforts have identified more than 900 suspected patients, with 101 confirmed infections. He did not provide new information on fatalities.

Ebola is a deadly viral disease transmitted through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, often causing severe bleeding and organ failure. The Congolese government declared an Ebola outbreak on May 15, identifying the virus as the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no approved vaccine or effective treatment.

According to the country’s health ministry, as of Saturday, 867 suspected cases had been recorded across three provinces, resulting in 204 deaths. Over the past five decades, Ebola outbreaks across Africa have claimed more than 15,000 lives.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be spreading faster than initially anticipated. At least 131 people have died so far, and more than 513 suspected cases have been reported as of last Tuesday. A WHO representative, Dr. Ann Ancia, said investigations show the virus has reached new areas, while a death has also been confirmed in neighboring Uganda.

A mathematical model from the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis in London suggests that many infections remain undetected, possibly pushing the real number of cases beyond one thousand. The Red Cross cautioned that without rapid identification of patients and improved public awareness, the situation could quickly spiral out of control. Following an emergency meeting, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern over the outbreak’s scale and speed. The strain currently spreading has no effective vaccine, though WHO is assessing whether other treatments might offer protection.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The outbreak, centered in the eastern Ituri province, has so far resulted in about 246 suspected infections and 80 deaths. WHO reported that the virus, identified as the Bundibugyo strain, has no approved treatment or vaccine. Eight cases have been confirmed in laboratories, and infections have spread to Bunia, Mongwalu, Rwampara, and even the capital Kinshasa. Two confirmed cases have also been detected in neighboring Uganda.

WHO warned that the outbreak could expand rapidly due to population movement, urban transmission, and limited healthcare infrastructure. The organization advised DR Congo and Uganda to establish emergency operations centers to track and isolate cases. Neighboring Rwanda has tightened border health checks, while the U.S. CDC plans to deploy more staff and has issued travel warnings for Ituri province.

WHO urged countries not to impose travel or trade restrictions, emphasizing that such measures lack scientific justification. The agency noted uncertainty about the full extent of infections and geographic spread.

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 80 people, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it an international public health emergency. According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 88 deaths and 336 suspected infections have been reported so far. The WHO said the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola and has been classified under the second-highest alert level, though it has not yet been declared a pandemic emergency.

Health authorities confirmed the outbreak in Ituri province near the borders with Uganda and South Sudan. The first identified patient was a nurse who showed Ebola-like symptoms on April 24 in Bunia, the provincial capital. The Congolese health minister stated that there is no vaccine or specific treatment for this strain, and the fatality rate could reach 50 percent. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders described the situation as extremely concerning and is preparing a large-scale emergency response.

The WHO warned that the true number of infections and the geographic spread remain uncertain, raising fears that the situation could be more severe than currently known.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has caused several dozen deaths, as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The announcement was made from Geneva, where the organization confirmed that the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus affecting both Congo and Uganda. However, WHO clarified that the situation has not yet met the criteria to be classified as a pandemic.

According to the WHO statement, the decision reflects the seriousness of the outbreak and the need for coordinated international response, but it does not yet indicate a global health crisis. The organization emphasized that while the spread is concerning, current data do not justify declaring a pandemic-level emergency.

The declaration is expected to mobilize additional resources and international support to contain the virus and prevent further cross-border transmission, particularly between Congo and Uganda.

At least 69 people were killed in a militia attack in the northeastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local and security sources on Saturday. The assault, carried out on April 28 by armed members linked to the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO), targeted several villages. The victims included civilians, militia members, and soldiers. The attack delayed recovery of bodies for several days due to the continued presence of CODECO fighters.

The Ituri province, rich in gold and other minerals, has long been the scene of violent clashes between the Hema and Lendu ethnic groups. Another armed group, the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CRP), had earlier attacked army positions near Pimbo, claiming to defend the Hema community. The United Nations peacekeeping mission MONUSCO condemned the recent deadly assaults on civilians and reported rescuing 200 people trapped during the CRP attack.

Humanitarian agencies report that nearly one million internally displaced people in the province face severe humanitarian crises as violence involving CODECO, CRP, and other armed groups continues to destabilize the region.

At least six people were killed on Tuesday when a tunnel collapsed at the Rubaya coltan mine in the rebel-controlled eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to eyewitnesses cited by AFP from Goma. The incident occurred about 70 kilometers west of Goma in North Kivu province, killing three women and three men and injuring several others.

Witnesses reported that authorities had ordered evacuations following the collapse, and bodies were seen being carried away on stretchers. Many relatives rushed to the site in search of missing workers. The Rubaya mine, one of the largest coltan sources in the country, employs thousands of miners who work in hazardous conditions with minimal equipment.

The mine, which supplies an estimated 15 to 30 percent of global coltan production, has been under the control of M23 rebels since April 2024. This was the second deadly collapse in Rubaya in recent weeks, following a landslide late last month that the government feared had killed at least 200 people.

A devastating landslide has struck a militia-controlled mine in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with government sources warning that at least 200 people may have died. The incident occurred on Sunday, according to an official statement released by the Congolese government.

Reports from Kinshasa, citing AFP, indicate that the M23 armed group, which re-emerged in 2021, has seized large parts of the mineral-rich eastern territories of the country. Backed by Rwanda, M23 took control of the Rubaya mine in North Kivu province in April 2024, the site where the latest tragedy unfolded.

Authorities have not yet provided details on rescue operations or the exact cause of the landslide, but the scale of the disaster has raised concerns about safety conditions in conflict-affected mining zones.

More than 200 people were killed when a coltan mine collapsed in Rubaya, eastern Congo’s North Kivu province. The mine, located about 60 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital Goma, caved in on Wednesday. Reuters reported that the exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.

Lumumba Kambere Muisa, spokesperson for the M23 rebel-appointed governor of North Kivu, said some people were rescued in time after the collapse, while others were seriously injured. Around 20 injured individuals are receiving treatment at a local health center. Iraston Bahati Musanga, the M23-appointed governor, told AFP on Friday that several bodies had been recovered but did not specify the total number of victims.

A provincial adviser, speaking anonymously to Reuters, estimated the death toll at over 200. Miner Frank Bolingo said many people were still believed to be trapped inside the mine, indicating that rescue operations were continuing.

Hundreds of civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are living with amputations after renewed clashes between government forces and M23 rebels. The violence, concentrated around the mineral-rich North Kivu province, has intensified since M23—allegedly backed by Rwanda—captured Goma and Bukavu earlier this year. Survivors like 25-year-old David Muhire, who lost limbs in a landmine explosion, symbolize the growing humanitarian toll of the conflict.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), more than 800 people injured by weapons, mines, and unexploded ordnance have received treatment in 2025, with over 400 currently rehabilitating at Goma’s Shirika la Umoja center. Despite a U.S.-brokered peace deal signed in Washington on December 4 between Rwanda and the DRC, fighting resumed within days as M23 launched new offensives near the Burundian border.

Aid agencies warn that prolonged warfare is worsening the humanitarian crisis, leaving thousands disabled and dependent on limited medical and prosthetic support. The ICRC continues to call for sustained peace and protection for civilians in the region.