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euronews
Congo’s Ebola outbreak on track to surpass deadliest in history
The World Health Organisation has warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Congo may surpass the previous deadliest outbreak, which claimed over 11,000 lives. The current situation is alarming, with over 2,000 deaths reported from more than 4,300 cases, and healthcare professionals struggling to monitor the situation due to the remote location affected by conflict and misinformation. The outbreak, driven by the Bundibugyo virus, lacks approved vaccines, complicating public health responses. There are ongoing clinical trials for potential treatments and vaccines.
MonitorConfidence: HighImmediate horizonExecution risk: High
Published 13 Aug 2026, 05:05 UTC2 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- The outbreak has resulted in over 2,000 deaths.
- It is spreading faster than containment efforts can cope.
- No approved treatments for the Bundibugyo virus currently exist.
- New vaccines are being tested specifically for this type of Ebola.
- Outbreak control is hindered by poor infrastructure and misinformation.
Interesting facts
- The outbreak commenced months earlier than officially declared.
- It is occurring in conflict-affected regions with limited healthcare access.
- Research indicates the virus jumped from an animal to a person.