The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has crossed a grim milestone, surpassing 4,000 confirmed cases in what health officials have described as the country's largest Ebola outbreak on record. As of 4 August 2026, the DRC had reported 3,973 confirmed cases, 1,801 deaths and 776 recoveries across 51 health zones in five provinces — with the toll continuing to rise rapidly, recording 99 new confirmed cases and 52 deaths in a single 24-hour reporting period shortly before the milestone was reached.

The epicentre of the crisis is Ituri Province in eastern DRC, which accounts for nearly 90% of confirmed cases. The health zones of Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu are among the worst affected. Active conflict, the presence of armed groups, poor road access, population displacement and severe misinformation are all impeding the response. Treatment centres in North Kivu are operating at 139% capacity, and contact tracing — a cornerstone of Ebola containment — stands at only 75% coverage, well below the 95% target required to reliably interrupt transmission chains.

In response to the deteriorating situation, a joint high-level mission led by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya, and WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi visited Uganda, Bunia and Kinshasa on 4 and 5 August. The delegation drew lessons from Uganda's recent success in containing its own, far smaller outbreak — 20 confirmed cases and two deaths — which was declared over on 28 July. Uganda's experience underscored the value of early detection, rapid contact tracing and trusted community engagement. The mission concluded with meetings with DRC's president and senior government officials, where findings were presented and commitments to a coordinated national response were reaffirmed.

Africa CDC and WHO have called for immediate and sweeping action: expanding treatment and laboratory capacity, bringing testing and isolation services closer to communities, ensuring frontline health workers are equipped and paid on time, and guaranteeing safe access for responders in conflict-affected areas. Central to both organisations' message is the role of communities themselves.