---
title: "Epidemic in DRC: Ebola death toll exceeds 1500, outbreak in Ituri spirals out of control"
description: "More than 3,500 cases of Ebola and 1,556 deaths have been recorded in the DRC — this is the fastest outbreak in the country's history. The epidemic has engulfed the Ituri province, where military action and the lack of a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain are exacerbating the situation. 🏥🚑🌍"
date: 2026-08-02T13:53:03.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/epidemic-in-drc-ebola-death-toll-exceeds-1500-en
tags: [dr-congo, ebola, ituri, who, msf]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Epidemic in DRC: Ebola death toll exceeds 1500, outbreak in Ituri spirals out of control

![Workers in protective suits loading a red coffin into a hearse during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/02/epidemiya-v-drk-chislo-zhertv-ebolyi-prevysilo-1500/epidemiya-v-drk-chislo-zhertv-ebolyi-prevysilo-1500-1.webp)

A major humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the latest data, more than 3,500 cases of Ebola virus infection have been recorded, placing the current outbreak at the level of the most severe epidemic in the country's history. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the virus is spreading at a record pace, while measures to contain the infection are hampered by military hostilities in the region.

### Record mortality rates

According to AFP, by August 1, the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease reached 3,532. These figures exceed those of the previous, largest epidemic in the DRC, which raged from 2018 to 2020. At that time, 3,500 cases were recorded, and the death toll was nearly 2,300 people.

Currently, the fatality rate from the virus in the current outbreak stands at 1,556 deaths. Acting head of the UN World Food Programme, Carl Skau, told Reuters that what is happening is "the fastest-spreading Ebola epidemic we have ever seen".

For comparison: the largest outbreak in human history remains the epidemic in West Africa in 2014–2016, which affected Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. At that time, 28,616 cases and 11,310 deaths were recorded.

### Epicenter in a war zone

The outbreak, which began in May, has already affected 5 out of the country's 26 provinces, which has a population of 116 million. The epicenter of the crisis is the northeastern province of Ituri, bordering Uganda and South Sudan.

The situation in Ituri is complicated not only by high population density but also by active fighting between armed groups. Poverty and an unstable political situation hinder medical workers from effectively containing the spread of the virus. Representatives of the organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) previously reported that relatives often bury the dead without observing necessary protective measures, which becomes a catalyst for further transmission of the infection.

### Lack of vaccine against the new variant

Particular concern is caused by the nature of the virus itself. This is already the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC, but this time it is caused by a rare variant of the virus — Bundibugyo. At present, there is neither an approved vaccine nor a specific treatment method against this strain.

The Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people and causes severe hemorrhagic fever. In the last 50 years, more than 15,000 people in Africa have fallen victim to this disease. In the absence of specific therapy and complex logistics in the conflict zone, the fight against the epidemic in the DRC has become an extremely difficult task for the international community.