The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has become the largest ever recorded in the country’s history, with health officials reporting a rapid escalation in both infections and fatalities.
In its latest epidemiological update, the WHO said the outbreak is “intensifying,” citing sustained community transmission and a continuous increase in the number of confirmed cases and deaths. The agency described the situation as unprecedented for the Central African nation, where Ebola outbreaks have occurred repeatedly over the past decades.
As of July 30, 2026, health authorities had confirmed 3,605 Ebola cases, including 1,587 deaths. The WHO also reported a record weekly increase during epidemiological week 30, with 567 new infections and 296 deaths, underscoring what it called an “exceptional rate of transmission.”
The organization warned that the persistent spread of the virus is placing growing pressure on the country’s health system and increasing the urgency of containment efforts. Response teams continue to focus on case detection, contact tracing, treatment, vaccination and community engagement to curb transmission.
Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials. Symptoms typically include fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
The WHO continues to monitor the outbreak closely and is working with Congolese health authorities and international partners to strengthen the emergency response and prevent further spread of the virus.
