WHO Warns DRC Ebola Nears 2,000 Cases as 80% of New Infections Evade Contact Tracing
Updated
Updated · UN News · Jul 14
WHO Warns DRC Ebola Nears 2,000 Cases as 80% of New Infections Evade Contact Tracing
3 articles · Updated · UN News · Jul 14
Summary
Close to 2,000 confirmed Ebola cases and more than 700 deaths had been recorded across five DRC provinces by July 11, with WHO calling it the fastest-growing outbreak it has ever managed.
Over 80% of new cases are emerging from unknown transmission chains, and WHO said many newly reported deaths occurred in communities before patients reached care — a sign the response is missing infections early.
More than 95% of new cases still come from Ituri Province, but the Bundibugyo virus has recently spread to Haut-Uele and Tshopo, prompting WHO to map travel routes while intensifying efforts at the outbreak's core.
WHO said the outbreak, declared about two months ago, could be 2-4 times larger than reported; no approved treatment exists for Bundibugyo Ebola, though therapeutic trials are underway and early supportive care improves survival.
Attacks on health workers and facilities remain a risk, and WHO urged stronger international backing, arguing faster support now is in countries' own interest as states negotiate pathogen-sharing rules under the WHO pandemic agreement.
With Ebola crossing borders and a US citizen infected, are current travel screenings enough to prevent a global spread?
With 80% of new cases untraced, is Congo’s Ebola outbreak already an uncontrollable epidemic?
As a 'crisis of trust' fuels Ebola's spread, can new drug trials offer hope where human connection has failed?
2026 Bundibugyo Ebola Crisis: Surging Infections, Healthcare Worker Risks, and Regional Instability in DRC and Uganda
Overview
The Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease outbreak is a growing public health crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, with a sharp rise in cases and deaths reported as of July 13, 2026. The World Health Organization highlights ongoing efforts to contain the virus, but the situation is worsening, with 53 new confirmed cases and 39 deaths in the DRC since the last report. Overall, there has been an increase of 134 confirmed cases and 77 deaths since the ECDC's recent update, showing persistent transmission and expanding geographic spread. This underscores the urgent need for stronger response measures.