DR Congo Ebola outbreak grows to 1,048 cases, 267 dead

DR Congo Ebola outbreak grows to 1,048 cases, 267 dead
Health workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) carry the coffin of a person who is suspected to have died from Ebola, DR Congo, 18 June 2026.
Reuters

The Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded more than 1,000 confirmed Ebola cases for the first time in the current outbreak, with infections rising to 1,048, including 267 deaths, authorities said.  

The milestone underscores the scale of the crisis, which experts say is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record in its initial phase in Africa. Reuters, citing the World Health Organization (WHO) said the number of confirmed infections in the first month is the highest ever recorded for such an outbreak on the continent.

Health officials believe the virus was circulating for months before it was formally declared on May 15, allowing it to spread undetected.

Spread in displacement camps raises alarm

The outbreak has intensified concerns as cases have emerged in overcrowded displacement camps in eastern Congo, where living conditions make containment particularly difficult.

At least 25 infections have been confirmed in these camps, including 14 deaths, according to figures shared at a WHO briefing.

Aid agencies have warned that the presence of the virus in such settings could accelerate transmission, particularly among vulnerable populations already affected by conflict and displacement.

Regional implications

The spread of Ebola has extended beyond Congo’s borders, with neighbouring Uganda confirming another case, bringing its total to 20.

Authorities there said 14 patients have recovered, while four remain under treatment and two have died. The majority of infections are reported to be imported from Congo, highlighting the risk of cross-border transmission.

Controversy over containment efforts abroad

Efforts to respond to the outbreak have also sparked tensions beyond the region. In Kenya, plans to build a U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility near an air base have been halted following a court ruling.

Kenya’s health minister was found in contempt of court for failing to comply with orders suspending construction, amid protests over the project.

Despite the legal dispute, flights carrying equipment and medical personnel have continued to arrive at the site, according to officials and flight data.

With case numbers continuing to rise and the disease spreading into densely populated and displaced communities, international health authorities say urgent action is needed to contain the outbreak.

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