Ebola outbreak 2026: Cases rise in Congo, death toll crosses 180; here’s what we know so far
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has climbed to 782 confirmed cases and 181 deaths, health authorities said on Sunday, as the virus spread to new health zones in the country’s conflict-hit east and crossed into neighbouring Uganda. The current outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. (Representative/AFP) According to Congo’s Ministry of Health, the outbreak has now affected two additional health zones, Nia-Nia in Ituri province and Mabalako in North Kivu — raising concerns about further transmission as authorities race to contain the virus. The outbreak was declared on May 15, though health officials have said the virus had likely been circulating undetected for weeks before it was identified. The current outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a rare variant for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. This distinguishes it from the Zaire strain, which caused most of Congo’s previous Ebola outbreaks and for which vaccines and treatments are available. Health authorities said 56 people have recovered from …
