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HealthWHO: DRC Ebola outbreak has most cases in first month of any African outbreak
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The Democratic Republic of Congo's Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has become the most severe in its first month of any African outbreak, with over 1,000 infections and 267 deaths as of June 23, 2026. The World Health Organization reported that the outbreak was detected late, with the virus circulating for months before being officially declared on May 15. Cases have been confirmed in at least three crowded displacement camps in eastern Congo, with at least 25 cases and 14 deaths reported by the International Organisation for Migration. WHO's Abdirahman Mahamud stated that the response needs to expand to keep pace with the outbreak. This outbreak follows the two largest Ebola outbreaks in West Africa (2014-2016) and a 2018 outbreak in Congo.
Source report
The Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has infected over 1,000 people and killed 267. Experts say the virus had been circulating for months before it was officially declared on May 15.
Published June 23, 2026 — 07:35 pm IST | NAIROBI Source: Reuters
June 23, 2026 — Congo’s Ebola outbreak now has the largest number of confirmed cases in the first month of any Ebola outbreak in Africa, a senior World Health Organisation (WHO) official told a briefing on Tuesday.
Dr. Abdirahman Mahamud of the WHO addressed a press briefing in Geneva after returning from the outbreak’s epicentre in Bunia last week.
“The response needs to expand to keep pace with the expanding outbreak — this is beginning to happen,” Mahamud said.
The Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo was detected late. According to experts, the virus had already been circulating for months before it was officially declared on May 15.
Key figures
- Total infections: Over 1,000
- Confirmed deaths: 267
Context
The two largest Ebola outbreaks prior to this one were:
- West Africa (2014–2016): Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia — 11,000 deaths
- Congo (2018): Less fatal than the West Africa outbreak
Displacement camps affected
Ebola cases have now been reported in at least three of eastern Congo’s crowded displacement camps, according to Reuters.
Abdoulaye Wone of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said at the same briefing:
At least 25 cases have been confirmed at the camps, including 14 deaths.
Broader context
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been over 20 Ebola outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa.
Source
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Western
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