Congo Ebola outbreak: 550 confirmed cases, 100 deaths in one month

At least 100 people have died from Ebola less than a month after authorities declared an outbreak of the disease in eastern Congo.

Published June 09, 2026 12:53 pm IST – Bunia, Congo | AP

Photo Credit: Reuters

At least 100 people have died from Ebola less than a month after authorities declared an outbreak of the disease in eastern Congo, officials confirmed.

Efforts to contain the outbreak continue to face significant challenges, including:

• Attacks on health workers from angry residents
• Scepticism among some local populations
• Armed conflict in affected hotspots

Also Read: On Ebola, India must stay alert, not alarmed

As of Sunday, June 7, 2026, a total of 550 cases of the disease had been confirmed. According to the latest situation report released late Monday, June 8, 2026, there have been:

• 101 deaths
• 19 recoveries

The actual number of cases is believed to be higher, as the outbreak was confirmed several weeks late. Response efforts have also been hampered by the fact that no approved vaccine or treatment exists for this strain.

The current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which does not have an approved vaccine or treatment. This differs from the Zaire virus, which was responsible for most of Congo’s previous 16 Ebola outbreaks and for which vaccines and treatments are available.

Published – June 09, 2026 12:53 pm IST