Ebola Outbreak in DRC and Uganda: Deaths Top 2,100 as WHO Warns of Deadliest Outbreak on Record

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda has become the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record — and the World Health Organization (WHO) warns it is on track to become the deadliest ever. With more than 4,600 confirmed cases and over 2,100 deaths reported as of mid-August 2026, this is a public health emergency that every traveller and health professional should understand. Here is what is happening, why this outbreak is different, and what it means for the rest of the world.

Ebola outbreak 2026: the numbers so far

The outbreak was officially declared on 15 May 2026 after the WHO was alerted to a high-mortality cluster of illness in the Mongbwalu Health Zone of Ituri Province. By 17 May, the WHO had declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) — the highest alert level the organisation can issue.

According to the latest government and WHO figures:

• More than 4,600 confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease
• Over 2,100 deaths, with a case fatality rate well above 40%
• Six provinces affected in the DRC: Ituri, Haut-Uele, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and a sixth province confirmed this month
• At least one case linked to the outbreak reported in Kampala, the capital of neighbouring Uganda

The epidemic is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record. The WHO’s director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told reporters that at its current pace the 2026 outbreak would eclipse the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic, which killed at least 11,000 people.

Why this outbreak is different: the Bundibugyo virus

Most major Ebola outbreaks — including the 2014–2016 disaster — were caused by the Zaire species of the virus. This outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species, a rare strain that has previously caused only two known outbreaks, in 2007 and 2012.

That distinction matters for three reasons:

• No approved vaccine currently exists for the Bundibugyo species
• No recognised therapeutic drugs are available specifically for this strain
• Existing outbreak tools — ring vaccination and proven treatments — cannot simply be deployed as they were in past epidemics

Health officials also believe the virus began spreading as early as February 2026, months before the outbreak was recognised. Early cases were initially misdiagnosed as malaria or typhoid, allowing silent transmission to take hold.

A crisis within a crisis: insecurity and community spread

Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, described the situation bluntly: “We are chasing the virus, the virus is ahead of us.”

Ongoing conflict and instability in eastern DRC are severely hampering the response:

• Health workers are reaching only about 30% of cases
• Between 60% and 70% of deaths are occurring in communities, before patients ever reach a treatment centre
• Deaths among health workers were reported early in the outbreak
• Contact tracing, safe burials and community education are all disrupted by insecurity

The WHO has said it hopes to reverse the spread of the disease within three months — but warned that this means bringing transmission under control, not ending the outbreak entirely.

Ebola symptoms and how the virus spreads

Ebola is a rare but severe viral illness. Symptoms typically appear two to 21 days after exposure and often begin suddenly:

• Fever, headache and extreme fatigue
• Muscle pain and weakness
• Vomiting and diarrhoea as the disease progresses
• In severe cases, internal and external bleeding, organ failure and shock

The virus spreads from person to person through direct contact with infected bodily fluids — blood, vomit, saliva, urine or stool — or with contaminated surfaces and materials. It is not airborne. People are infectious only after symptoms begin, which is why rapid detection and isolation are critical.

Vaccine and treatment efforts

Despite the challenges, research is moving quickly:

• The UK medicines regulator (MHRA) has approved the first human trials of a Bundibugyo vaccine, developed by a University of Oxford team using the same platform as the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
• Three other groups are developing Bundibugyo vaccines, though none have yet entered clinical trials
• The WHO is sponsoring a clinical trial in the DRC to test whether two existing antiviral therapies can improve survival

What this means for travellers

As of mid-August 2026, no cases linked to this outbreak have been confirmed in the United States or Australia, and the risk to the general public outside the affected region remains low. The CDC has roughly 400 staff working on the response, with more than 120 deployed to affected countries.

Travellers planning to visit the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan should:

• Check the latest travel advisories from their government before departure
• Avoid non-essential travel to active outbreak areas in eastern DRC
• Practise strict hand hygiene and avoid contact with sick people and their bodily fluids
• Seek immediate medical attention and disclose travel history if they develop fever, headache or fatigue within 21 days of returning

Frequently asked questions

What is Ebola?

Ebola virus disease is a severe, often fatal illness in humans caused by one of several Ebola virus species. It is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people or animals.

What is the Bundibugyo virus?

Bundibugyo is one of the six known species of Ebola virus and is among the rarest. It has caused only two previous outbreaks (2007 and 2012) and, unlike the Zaire strain, has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

How does Ebola spread between people?

Through direct contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, saliva, urine or stool, or with contaminated surfaces, clothing or medical equipment. The virus is not spread through the air.

What are the early symptoms of Ebola?

Sudden fever, headache, fatigue and muscle pain, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, bleeding and organ failure. Symptoms appear 2–21 days after exposure, so a travel history in the previous three weeks is an important clue for doctors.

Is there a vaccine for this Ebola outbreak?

Not yet. No vaccine is approved for the Bundibugyo species, but the first human trials of an Oxford-developed vaccine have been approved in the UK, with several other candidates in development.

Should I be worried if I’m not travelling to Africa?

For the general public in Australia, the US and Europe, the risk remains very low. Public health agencies are screening and monitoring travellers from affected areas, and the WHO’s PHEIC declaration has mobilised a coordinated global response.

What is a PHEIC?

A Public Health Emergency of International Concern is the WHO’s highest alert level. It signals that a disease event is serious, unusual and may require coordinated international action to prevent global spread.

The bottom line

The 2026 Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda is a rapidly evolving global health emergency — the second-largest on record and potentially the deadliest yet. The combination of a rare virus strain with no vaccine, conflict-affected communities, and limited access to cases makes this one of the most difficult outbreak responses in modern history. While the risk to Australians remains low, the situation deserves close attention, and travellers to the region should follow official health advice closely.