DR Congo Ebola outbreak set to become deadliest on record, WHO warns

August 13, 2026 - 00:41

The World Health Organization has issued a stark warning that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on track to become the most lethal in history. According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, if the current rate of transmission continues, the outbreak will surpass the devastating West Africa epidemic of 2014 to 2016, which killed more than 11,000 people.

Speaking to reporters, Tedros emphasized that the situation in the eastern provinces of North Kivu and Ituri is extremely concerning. The outbreak, which began in August 2018, has already claimed over 1,800 lives, making it the second deadliest on record. The challenge is compounded by ongoing armed conflict in the region, which has repeatedly forced health workers to suspend vaccination campaigns and treatment efforts.

The WHO chief noted that while the response has been robust, with over 100,000 people vaccinated, the virus continues to spread due to community mistrust and attacks on health facilities. He called for a renewed international commitment to stop the outbreak before it spirals further out of control. Without a significant surge in funding and security, the WHO warns that the death toll could climb even higher, surpassing the grim milestone set by the West African outbreak.