Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola outbreak deaths hit 600

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached 600 confirmed deaths, with the number of confirmed cases rising to between 1,708 and 1,759 across the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and newly reported cases in Tshopo. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

The World Health Organization says the epidemic remains in an expansion phase, driven by population movements and insecurity. Treatment centres are operating at about 90 % capacity, and the case‑fatality rate is around 34 %.

Healthcare workers in the hardest‑hit Ituri province have staged walk‑outs and threatened strikes over delayed wages and limited protective gear, jeopardising response efforts. The government has begun clinical trials of the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral remdesivir for Bundibugyo Ebola.

Cross‑border transmission has been recorded, with 20 confirmed cases and two deaths in neighboring Uganda. The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May 2026.