BUNIA, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 21, 2026 — At least 930 people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak, according to figures released by the country’s Ministry of Health.
Health authorities had recorded 2,344 confirmed cases as of July 18. The ministry reported 37 deaths during one 24-hour period, while at least 36 healthcare workers have died since the outbreak was declared on May 15.
The outbreak is being caused by the less-common Bundibugyo virus. Unlike the Zaire strain involved in several previous outbreaks, there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for disease caused by the Bundibugyo strain.
The World Health Organization reported 2,124 confirmed cases and 828 deaths in Congo as of July 15, giving a crude case-fatality ratio of approximately 39 percent at that point. The higher national figures published later reflect the outbreak’s continuing progression and a more recent reporting date.
Containment efforts have been complicated by insecurity in eastern Congo, attacks on healthcare facilities and teams, and protests by health workers over unpaid wages. Authorities said 12 attacks had been recorded against health facilities or response personnel since the outbreak began.
The WHO has also warned that a large proportion of new infections are emerging from unidentified transmission chains. This means health teams have been unable to establish how some patients were exposed, making contact tracing and containment considerably more difficult.
As of the latest ministry update, 724 patients were reportedly receiving care in isolation or in hospitals. Health authorities said response operations were being intensified across affected areas.
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