Ebola cases in DR Congo pass 11,000, with 5,387 deaths

Confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have reached 11,042, with at least 5,387 deaths, as health authorities struggle to contain the country’s largest and deadliest outbreak. Caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, it is now the second-largest and second-deadliest Ebola outbreak on record, making containment a major challenge.

Eight of the DRC’s 26 provinces have been affected, and many people have died outside treatment centres. Delayed detection, conflict and strained health services have helped the virus spread, while no vaccine or treatment has been developed specifically for this strain, which kills about half of those infected. The WHO approved trials of two new vaccines earlier this month and expects results in early 2027; cases have also been reported across East, Central and West Africa.