Ebola Outbreak In DR Congo Death Toll Rises To 131, Officials Confirm

by HEDNEWS on May 19, 2026

At least 131 people have died in an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC, local health officials have confirmed, as concerns grow over the rapid spread of the virus in the country’s eastern provinces. Authorities said the outbreak has now led to more than 500 suspected cases, with infections concentrated in conflict-affected areas where access to healthcare remains limited.The outbreak, which has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization WHO, is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved treatments or widely available vaccines. Health officials said cases have been recorded across multiple health zones in eastern DRC, with movement of infected individuals contributing to wider transmission across communities and border regions. The WHO has expressed deep concern over the speed and scale of the outbreak, warning that the numbers are likely to rise as surveillance and contact tracing efforts expand. Emergency funding and international response teams have been deployed to support local health authorities. The crisis has been further complicated by insecurity in the region, including armed conflict and displacement, which has made it difficult for medical teams to reach affected populations and contain the spread. Neighbouring countries have also been placed on alert following reports of cross-border cases, raising fears of regional transmission. Experts say the outbreak highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in public health systems in conflict zones, where delayed detection and limited resources can allow infectious diseases to spread rapidly.