Congo Ebola outbreak projected to exceed deadliest epidemic on record

The World Health Organization warned in August 2026 that an Ebola outbreak in Congo could become the deadliest in history. The previous record was the 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa, which killed more than 11,000 people.

Congo's outbreak began in February 2026 and was officially declared in May. By mid-August, more than 4,300 people had caught the disease and over 2,000 had died. The WHO said the outbreak was growing faster than any previous Ebola epidemic.

Officials said the outbreak could peak within six months, but might last up to a year in the worst case. Many patients could not reach health workers because of poor roads and weak local clinics. Strikes by unpaid health workers and public mistrust were also slowing the response.