WHO Raises Alarm Over Escalating Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo

Jul 17, 2026

47 min

Jul 17, 2026 00:30

WHO warns DR Congo Ebola outbreak is outpacing response

## Rapid Spread of Ebola in DR Congo

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed serious concerns about the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has become the third-largest on record. Despite global efforts, the outbreak is expanding rapidly, with over 2,200 cases and nearly 800 deaths reported.

## WHO's Response and Challenges

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the challenges faced in controlling the outbreak, particularly in the Ituri province. The region's instability has complicated efforts, with over 80% of new cases occurring outside known contact lists. This suggests that many transmission chains remain undetected.

## Comparison to Previous Outbreaks

The current outbreak has reached over 2,000 cases in just two months, a rate much faster than the 2018–2019 outbreak, which took over ten months to reach similar numbers. The WHO is working with the DRC government and other partners to curb the spread, but the situation remains critical.

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