The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has surpassed previous epidemics, becoming the worst in the country's history. Latest figures show more than 6,000 confirmed cases and nearly 3,000 deaths.
According to the DRC's Ministry of Communication, there have been 6,041 confirmed cases to date, including 1,366 recoveries and 2,911 deaths. 619 patients are currently in isolation or receiving hospital treatment.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described it as “the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak ever recorded.” The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) attributes this partly to many new infections occurring among people not under contact tracing surveillance.
No vaccine or treatment has yet been approved for the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, which is spreading rapidly across the country.
The epicenter is concentrated in eastern DRC provinces, where dense populations face armed conflict, displacement, and pre-existing humanitarian challenges.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) says existing medical needs, along with airport closures and flight restrictions, are complicating healthcare delivery, disrupting staff movements, diagnostics, referrals, and supply chains.
Frontline health workers went on strike in early August to protest unpaid wages and poor working conditions.
Meanwhile, Uganda was declared Ebola-free on August 28 after reporting no new cases for 42 consecutive days.
