The Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus outbreak that began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was officially confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 15. Less than a week later, the death toll is rising with at least 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths linked to the disease, as well as 51 laboratory-confirmed cases, WHO has reported.
The confirmed figures differ from the suspected cases because samples must be analyzed in Kinshasa, around 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) by plane from the outbreak area in Ituri province, before cases can be officially confirmed. In addition, the initial symptoms of the virus are very similar to those of malaria, a disease that is widespread in the region.
“We expect those numbers to keep increasing given the amount of time the virus was circulating before the outbreak was detected,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva. “I have decided that urgent action is needed to prevent further deaths and to mobilize an effective international response.” He also noted the scale of the outbreak could in fact be “much larger” than current estimates, as the epidemic likely began “a couple of months ago.”
Faced with the growing number of cases and its international spread, the WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern on May 17, 2026.
The disease, which emerged in rural Ituri province in eastern DRC, now appears to have spread to major cities including Kinshasa and Kampala, the capital of Uganda, as well as Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, which is currently under the control of the AFC/M23 armed group.
“The province of Ituri is highly insecure. Conflict has intensified since late 2025, and fighting has escalated significantly over the past two months, with over 100,000 people newly displaced. The area is also a mining zone, with high levels of population movement that increase the risk of further spread,” Ghebreyesus said during the press conference.
Although the situation has not yet reached the level of a global pandemic, the disease risks spreading further. An American citizen working in the DRC tested positive and was transferred to Berlin, Germany, for treatment, where family members are expected to join him. Since May 17, the U.S. State Department has also raised the entire DRC to a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory because of the virus.
The current Ebola outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, a variant for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.
However, during the Ebola briefing WHO doctor Vasee Moorthy, acting lead for the R&D Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics, said several vaccine candidates are currently under study. In the best-case scenario, according to him, one of these candidates could be available for clinical trials within two to three months, although uncertainties remain.
Banner image: Medical staff carry an Ebola patient to a treatment center. Image by Moses Sawasawa via Associated Press
Credits
