DRC Ebola Outbreak Reaches 2,273 Cases and 796 Deaths

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded 2,273 cases and 796 deaths as of 16 July 2026. The outbreak is the third largest on record and reached 2,000 confirmed cases within two months, compared with more than 10 months for the 2018-2019 outbreak. More than 80 per cent of new infections are detected outside known contact lists.

About two-thirds of deaths occur in communities among people who never receive treatment in a health facility. An Ebola treatment centre in Bunia was attacked on 15 July. Treatment capacity has grown to more than 800 beds.

Laboratory capacity has increased from one laboratory to 16. Contact follow-up rates have risen to almost 80 per cent. More than 21,000 community health workers are being trained. Three hundred seventy-seven people have recovered.

In Uganda the last confirmed Ebola patient was discharged from care on 16 July after testing negative twice. The country has reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths since declaring its outbreak on 15 May. Fifteen infections were linked to importation from the DRC and five resulted from local transmission.

Uganda's 42-day countdown to declare the outbreak over began on 16 July. WHO's joint continental preparedness and response plan with Africa CDC faces a funding gap of more than $400 million. Only 25 per cent of the funding required for UNICEF's Ebola response is currently available.