The World Health Organization says the Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the worst recorded there. The current outbreak was officially declared on 15 May 2026.
So far, 1,587 people have died in the DR Congo Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak. Health officials also face a major challenge because there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for this strain.
The latest outbreak has now gone beyond the country’s previous biggest Ebola emergency, which took place between 2018 and 2020, according to the report. That comparison underlines the scale of the current health crisis in DR Congo.
The Bundibugyo strain is less commonly discussed than some other forms of Ebola, but the rising death toll has pushed it into urgent focus. With no approved medical tools specifically available for this strain, the outbreak remains a serious concern for public health authorities.
