Ebola Outbreak Surges in Remote Congo Region

Congolese authorities reported a significant daily increase in Ebola cases, with 72 new infections in a 24-hour period, bringing the total to 782 confirmed cases. The outbreak, confirmed on May 15, 2026, is driven by the Bundibugyo virus, unlike most previous outbreaks caused by the Zaire strain. This rare virus was not initially tested for.

The outbreak is predominantly concentrated in the eastern Ituri province, accounting for over 90% of cases, with spread also noted in North Kivu, South Kivu, and into Uganda. Efforts to contain the virus are severely hampered by the displacement of nearly a million people due to ongoing conflict in Ituri, making contact tracing exceptionally difficult.

Medical charity Doctors Without Borders stated that treatment centers are overwhelmed, and many patients arrive at advanced stages of illness, often not identified as contacts prior to seeking care. The contact tracing coverage rate has dropped to 56%, a decrease from the previous week, exacerbated by community resistance and the rapid expansion into new health zones.

The current fatality rate for the outbreak stands at 23%, with 40 individuals having recovered. The World Health Organization and Africa's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are intensifying testing, contact tracing, and treatment efforts, deploying technical expertise and supplies to support the response until transmission is halted.