Congo's Ebola Cases Surge Past 3,200, Approaching Historic High

WHO:

ABC News - Onesphore Bangenza, Mercy Corps response team lead in Bunia, Ituri's capital.

ABC News - Fabrice Mumbesa, a resident of Mongbwalu, a mining town at the center of the outbreak.

WHAT:

ABC News - The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has surpassed 3,262 confirmed cases.

ABC News - There have been 1,437 deaths out of the 3,262 cases reported.

ABC News - The current outbreak is described as the fastest Ebola outbreak on record.

ABC News - The outbreak was declared on May 15.

WHERE:

ABC News - The outbreak is concentrated in the eastern Ituri province of Congo.

ABC News - The outbreak is affecting communities in eastern Congo, including Mongbwalu.

WHEN:

ABC News - The previous outbreak lasted roughly two years from 2018 to 2020.

WHY:

ABC News - The outbreak is exacerbated by rebel violence and health workers striking due to nonpayment of wages.

ABC News - Concerns arise from many communities being unreachable or abandoned by responders due to safety issues.

HOW:

ABC News - Efforts to slow transmission are challenged by the lack of approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo virus responsible for the outbreak.

ABC News - The identification of patient zero has not yet occurred, complicating tracking efforts.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 11:42 UTC)

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has now surpassed 3,262 confirmed cases, with 1,437 deaths reported, making it the fastest outbreak on record. The situation is particularly dire in the Ituri province, where rebel violence and health worker strikes due to unpaid wages are hindering response efforts, leaving many communities unreachable. Compounding the crisis, there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo virus, and the identification of patient zero remains elusive, complicating tracking and containment efforts.