Health & Public Health
UN warns Ebola could spread in DR Congo displacement camps
The United Nations warned on Monday that Ebola could spread in displacement camps in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo because of overcrowding and limited access to basic services.
The UN aid agency OCHA said confirmed Ebola cases had been reported in at least 16 displacement sites in Ituri, the northeastern province at the centre of the outbreak. It said the sites host more than 270,000 displaced people, creating conditions that increase the risk of transmission.
OCHA said the UN and its partners have been installing handwashing stations and speaking with communities about Ebola prevention.
According to World Health Organization figures cited in the report, DR Congo has recorded 2,344 confirmed Ebola cases, including 930 deaths. More than 460 patients have recovered, and there are 192 suspected cases. Cases have been found in five DR Congo provinces and in neighbouring Uganda.
The epidemic is now the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record. DR Congo declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15 after several deaths in Ituri, a mineral-rich province affected by armed groups.
OCHA said needs are still greater than available resources and called for more international support to maintain the Ebola response and provide life-saving help to displaced communities facing conflict, displacement and worsening living conditions.
The current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola. The report said there are no approved vaccines or treatments for that species.
Update
OCHA said confirmed Ebola cases had been reported in at least 16 displacement sites in Ituri.
OCHA said those sites host more than 270,000 displaced people and that overcrowding and limited basic services raise transmission risks.
The source gives updated WHO figures of 2,344 confirmed Ebola cases in DR Congo, including 930 deaths, more than 460 recoveries and 192 suspected cases.
The source says cases have been found in five DR Congo provinces and in neighbouring Uganda.
The source says the epidemic is now the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record.
The source says the current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments.
OCHA called for increased international support for the Ebola response and assistance to displaced communities.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 18:07:17 UTC.
Update
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 80 percent of new cases were being detected outside known contact lists.
Tedros said about two-thirds of deaths were occurring in communities among people who had not received care in a health facility.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment.
Trials involving MBP134, remdesivir, ChAdOx1 and obeldesivir were described.
Tedros said a treatment centre was attacked in Bunia, in Ituri province.
Tedros said there was a shortfall of more than $400 million for a joint WHO and Africa CDC plan.
Source note: AFP news report published on 16 July 2026 at 15:14:17 UTC.
Update
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak had become the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record.
Tedros compared the current pace with the 2018-2020 DR Congo outbreak, which took more than 10 months to reach 2,000 confirmed cases.
The outbreak was declared on May 15 after several deaths in Ituri province.
Cases have been found in five DR Congo provinces and in neighbouring Uganda.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which the source says there is no approved vaccine or treatment.
Tedros said more than 80 percent of new cases are being detected outside known contact lists.
Tedros said about two-thirds of deaths are occurring in communities among people who never received care in a health facility.
Tedros said a treatment centre was attacked in Bunia on Wednesday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 16 July 2026 at 14:20:49 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The source reports 192 suspected cases, which are not confirmed cases.
Source
AFP news report published on .