Ebola outbreak in Congo set to become 2nd largest on record, 3,200 confirmed cases

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached 3,200 confirmed cases as of July 27, 2026, up from 2,344 a week earlier.

The death toll has nearly doubled in two weeks to 1,405, according to the National Institute of Public Health.

% of new cases are detected outside known contact lists, highlighting challenges in tracing transmission.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which no vaccine is available, unlike the Zaire strain.

Transmission is fueled by population movement, insecurity, artisanal mining, and cross-border trade with Uganda and South Sudan.