Ebola Outbreak Accelerates in DRC
An Ebola outbreak in the DRC has caused 220 suspected deaths, with the WHO reporting the epidemic is outpacing containment efforts.
Ayla Demirhan ·
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 220 suspected deaths from the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as of May 25, 2026, with the epidemic outpacing response efforts. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that delays in case detection have led to responders playing "catch-up," urging immediate action from bordering countries.
Over 900 suspected cases have been identified in the DRC, primarily in the northeastern province of Ituri, with spread extending 200 km from the epicenter and into neighboring provinces. Uganda confirmed two additional Ebola cases on May 25, bringing its total to seven, including two health workers in Kampala. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no vaccine or treatment currently exists.
Local resistance and violence have hampered containment efforts. On May 24, angry individuals stormed Mongbwalu General Hospital in eastern DRC, forcing medical staff to evacuate patients amidst gunfire. This incident followed a May 23 attack where residents set fire to a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) tent for Ebola cases, resulting in 18 suspected patients becoming unaccounted for. Congolese authorities have banned funeral wakes and gatherings of over 50 people in northeastern DRC to mitigate further transmission.