The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is 'outpacing us' and will 'get worse before it gets better.' The outbreak, which began in August 2018 in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, has become the second largest in history, with over 1,200 confirmed cases as of May 2026, according to WHO data.
Ebola is a deadly viral disease that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people or animals. The current outbreak has been complicated by ongoing conflict in the region, making it difficult for health workers to reach affected communities. Tedros emphasized the need for increased international support to contain the virus.
The WHO has deployed thousands of health workers and used an experimental vaccine, which has been given to over 100,000 people. However, new cases continue to emerge, and the agency warns that without a significant scale-up of response efforts, the outbreak could spread further.
Neighboring countries, including Uganda and Rwanda, have heightened surveillance and preparedness measures. The WHO has not recommended travel restrictions but advises travelers to avoid contact with sick individuals and to practice good hygiene.
