Thursday, May 28Thursday, May 28The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the public health risk of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to "very high" at the national level, warning the virus is spreading at an alarming rate. As of 23 May 2026, suspected cases have surged to 750, with 177 suspected [deaths—a](en.wikipedia.org) threefold increase from 246 cases and 65 deaths reported just one week earlier. Among these, 82 infections have been confirmed, including seven deaths, according to WHO data .
The outbreak, centered in Ituri province, is driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola—a rare and particularly virulent variant for which no approved vaccine or treatment currently exists. Provincial authorities have banned public gatherings in an effort to curb transmission, while health workers report that overwhelmed facilities and community distrust are hampering containment efforts . Aid groups warn that funding cuts and cultural practices, such as traditional burials involving physical contact with the deceased, are accelerating the virus’s spread .
Cross-border risks are escalating, with Uganda intensifying health screenings along its frontier with the DRC. The outbreak is now the third-largest in history, trailing only the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic and the 2018–2020 DRC outbreak, which claimed over 2,200 lives . WHO officials describe the situation as "deeply worrisome", citing the rapid acceleration of cases and the strain on an already fragile healthcare system .
Efforts to contain the outbreak face significant challenges, including security threats in conflict-affected regions and logistical hurdles in reaching remote communities. WHO and local health authorities are prioritizing community engagement, with experts stressing the need to build trust with local leaders to improve compliance with containment measures . The lack of a proven vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain further complicates the response, leaving health workers reliant on isolation protocols, contact tracing, and experimental treatments to slow the virus’s advance.
The WHO’s risk assessment upgrade reflects growing fears of regional spillover, particularly into neighboring Uganda and Rwanda. While no cases have been confirmed outside the DRC, the high mobility of populations along the border increases the likelihood of cross-border transmission. The international community has yet to mount a coordinated response on the scale of previous outbreaks, raising concerns about the potential for the crisis to escalate unchecked.
> Background: **TRENDING — Ebola outbreak in Congo surges with 750 cases, WHO raises risk to very high.** — *1 hours ago*
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TRENDING — WHO raises Ebola risk to "very high" as Congo outbreak surges past 750 cases
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france24 · 6 days ago
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aljazeera · 6 days ago
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theguardian · 6 days ago
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