Congo's Ebola outbreak records one of its highest weekly death tolls yet
[August 25, 2026]
BUNIA, Congo (AP) — More than 300 people died of Ebola in eastern
Congo in the past week, one of the highest weekly tolls yet, government
data showed Monday, as health workers struggle to catch up with an
outbreak that is spreading at unprecedented speed.
Ministry of Health data showed that as of Saturday, the outbreak had
recorded 5,514 cases and 2,642 deaths, including 317 deaths reported in
the previous seven days. But Congolese experts have said the outbreak
that started weeks before it was confirmed could be three times the
known size.
This is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history, with many people
dying outside treatment centers. It has recorded seven times more deaths
at this stage than the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak that is the
deadliest in history with over 11,000 in all.
Most new cases in Ituri province, the current epicenter, still come from
outside monitored contacts.
Nearly half of people infected have died — 47.9% — but the government
data shows much higher rates in hard-to-reach areas such as North Kivu
province, which has a fatality rate of 68.6%.
Frontline workers to receive vaccine used in past outbreaks
A key challenge has been the lack of approved vaccines or treatments for
the rare Bundibugyo virus responsible for the outbreak.
On Friday, Congo received more than 16,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine
that was effective in past Ebola outbreaks caused by a different, more
common type. The World Health Organization says it also will be used in
clinical trials for a Bundibugyo virus vaccine.
WHO says it’s not known whether Ervebo can protect against the
Bundibugyo virus, although early laboratory and animal data suggest it
may offer some protection.
[to top of second column]
|
Residents and frontline workers embark on Ebola outbreak awareness
campaign in Beni, North Kivu province, eastern Congo, Friday, Aug.
21, 2026. (AP Photo/Sebastien Kitsa Musayi)
 Officials have not said when the
vaccine will be rolled out to frontline workers. In Ituri, locals
expressed optimism that it will help slow the outbreak.
“I am very pleased that these vaccines have finally arrived,” said
Héritier Ramazani, a resident. “We are fed up with recording new
cases of Ebola every day.”
The outbreak is unfolding in some of the most challenging conditions
imaginable, with rebel threats and intense population movements.
Medical teams in Ituri and other affected provinces also face work
stoppages by responders who haven’t been paid, anger from
long-traumatized communities, bad roads and misinformation claiming
that Ebola isn’t real.
Experts believe the virus was spreading in the mining town of
Mongbwalu as early as February, months before authorities declared
the outbreak on May 15.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
