WHO: Ebola spreading faster than any previous outbreak in DR Congo
The World Health Organization warned Thursday that Ebola is spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo at an unprecedented pace, faster than any previous outbreak of the deadly virus. Since the outbreak was declared on May 15, 2026, more than 2,000 cases have been confirmed including 796 deaths, making it now the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters that in the past month, the outbreak had expanded faster than any previous occurrence. Healthcare workers in Bunia were photographed on June 11 undergoing accelerated training on single-use personal protective equipment at the Scott Powell Memorial Ebola Treatment Center. The rapid spread raises concerns for regional health security given DR Congo's proximity to Central Africa, with potential implications for West African countries that experienced previous Ebola outbreaks. WHO continues monitoring the situation and has not issued travel restrictions beyond the immediate affected areas in eastern DR Congo. The outbreak highlights ongoing challenges in containing infectious diseases in conflict-affected regions where healthcare infrastructure is limited. International health authorities are coordinating response efforts while encouraging regional preparedness measures.