Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Kills 80 as Health Authorities Race to Contain Spread

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed that at least 80 people have died from the latest Ebola outbreak in the eastern city of Bunia, located in Ituri Province, as health authorities intensify efforts to stop the deadly virus from spreading further.

According to the Congolese Ministry of Health, a total of 246 suspected Ebola cases have been recorded since the outbreak was first detected in April 2026. The government warned that the situation remains critical due to the virus spreading in densely populated urban areas and regions affected by insecurity.

Health Minister Roger Kamba said the first confirmed patient was identified on April 24, 2026. The patient, a nurse from Bunia, reportedly suffered symptoms including high fever, severe bleeding, and vomiting before later dying from the disease.

The current outbreak has been identified as the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, one of several forms of the virus previously detected in DR Congo. Since the first Ebola outbreak was discovered in the country in 1976, DR Congo has experienced multiple outbreaks involving different strains, including the Zaire, Sudan, and Bundibugyo variants.

Also The outbreak has already crossed borders into Uganda after a 59-year-old Congolese citizen reportedly died in Kampala on May 14 after traveling from DR Congo. Ugandan health authorities have since introduced emergency response measures to prevent further transmission within the country.

In response to the growing crisis, the World Health Organization announced on May 15 that it would send five tons of emergency medical supplies to Bunia to support outbreak control efforts. The supplies include protective equipment, testing materials, treatment support kits, and emergency tents that are being transported from Kinshasa.

WHO officials warned that controlling the outbreak will be particularly difficult because the virus has spread into crowded urban communities, mining zones, and insecure border areas where population movement remains high.

According to WHO data, Ebola kills approximately 50 percent of infected patients on average, although fatality rates in previous outbreaks have ranged between 25 percent and 90 percent depending on the strain and the speed of medical intervention. Health experts say early detection and rapid treatment can significantly improve survival chances.