The death toll from the fastest growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded has surpassed 1,500, as health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) warned that the epidemic continues to outpace response efforts despite intensified containment measures.
The Congolese government said the outbreak has now claimed 1,521 lives from 3,442 confirmed cases, making it the deadliest and fastest expanding Ebola outbreak in history in terms of the speed of transmission. The outbreak was officially declared on May 15 and is centred in the eastern province of Ituri, where nearly 90% of infections have been recorded.
Health officials said the outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments. The absence of effective medical countermeasures has complicated efforts to contain the disease, while insecurity, population displacement and limited access to affected communities have further hampered response operations.
Authorities said hundreds of patients remain in hospitals or isolation centres, while contact tracing continues to fall below the level required to halt transmission. Public health experts have warned that unidentified chains of infection remain widespread, increasing the risk of further community spread.
The outbreak has also expanded beyond Ituri into several other provinces, including the major city of Kisangani, raising concerns that the virus could spread more rapidly through densely populated urban areas. International health agencies have urged governments and donors to provide additional funding, personnel and medical supplies to strengthen surveillance and treatment efforts.
Humanitarian organisations say the Ebola crisis is worsening an already severe humanitarian emergency in eastern Congo, where armed conflict has displaced millions of people and disrupted access to healthcare, food and essential services. The World Food Programme (WFP) warned that movement restrictions, market disruptions and insecurity linked to the outbreak are intensifying hunger across affected communities.
Officials said response teams remain focused on expanding testing, improving contact tracing and restoring medical services in affected areas, while appealing for stronger international support to prevent the outbreak from spreading further.
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