Nisha Pandey

WHO Says “Fastest Growing” DRC Ebola Outbreak May Be Four Times Bigger Than Official Count As Cases Near 2,000

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the rapidly expanding <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/ebola">Ebola</a> outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is most likely to be bigger than what official figures suggest. It said that the true number of infections potentially two to four times higher than reported.

The alarming update comes as the outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the history.

As of July 14, 2026, health authorities confirmed recording 1,926 confirmed cases and 702 deaths due to <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/sii-oxfords-covid-style-1st-ebola-bundibugyo-vaccine-enters-human-trials-all-about-the-chadox1-jab-article-155087067" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola</a>, but WHO officials believe those numbers significantly underestimate the real picture of transmission as many infections are going undetected and unreported across communities.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Regional Director for Emergencies at WHO, said the outbreak is spreading faster than surveillance systems can track it.

"We think, with some of our support and modelling, the scale of the outbreak is at least two to four times the number of cases we are finding," Ihekweazu said. 

He also said that the DRC cannot tackle the epidemic by itself, appealing for international support and warning that the response is severely underfunded. WHO says it has received only about 40% of the $115 million required for the emergency response. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/congo-starts-ebola-treatment-trial-as-cases-reach-1427-deaths-hit-440-article-154917904" data-type="tilCustomLink">Congo Starts Ebola Treatment Trial As Cases Reach 1,427, Deaths Hit 440</a>

<h2>Challenges In Containing DRC Ebola Outbreak </h2>

The outbreak was first declared in May and is centered in Ituri province. Infections have now spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo. Around 90% of reported cases remain concentrated in Ituri, particularly in the city of Bunia. 

Health experts say one of the biggest challenges is that around 80% of new infections cannot be linked to known Ebola patients, indicating widespread hidden community transmission. Many patients are dying at home before reaching treatment centers, making contact tracing increasingly difficult. 

Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks driven by the Zaire strain, the current epidemic involves the Bundibugyo virus, for which no licensed vaccine or approved treatment currently exists. 

Scientists hope that ongoing clinical trials evaluating the antiviral drug remdesivir and the experimental antibody therapy MBP134 could help improve survival rates. The WHO and the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-humanitarian-worker-tests-positive-for-ebola-as-congo-outbreak-tops-1800-cases-article-155079143" data-type="tilCustomLink">DRC's</a> National Institute of Biomedical Research recently began enrolling patients into the study.

Containment efforts are also being hampered by armed conflict, community mistrust, misinformation and strikes by local healthcare workers over unpaid wages. WHO has responded by expanding lab capacity and training more than 21,000 community health workers to strengthen surveillance and treatment. 

The U.S. <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/uganda-says-ebola-is-contained-after-nearly-two-months-of-outbreak-seeks-to-get-travel-restrictions-removed-article-154973311" data-type="tilCustomLink">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> (CDC) has also described the outbreak as spreading "substantially faster than previous Ebola outbreaks," noting that it surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases within just 40 days of response activation.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever first identified in 1976. Since then, more than 30 outbreaks have been recorded, primarily in Central and West Africa. Common symptoms of Ebola include: 

<ul><li>Fever</li><li>Headache</li><li>Weakness and fatigue</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Diarrhea</li><li>Muscle pain</li><li>Sore throat</li><li>Unexplained bleeding or bruising.</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

health

who-says-fastest-growing-drc-ebola-outbreak-may-be-four-times-bigger-than-official-count-as-cases-near-2000

Ebola

chikwe ihekweazu

world health organization

national institute of biomedical research

bundibugyo

Ebola drc

ebola bundibugyo

ebola drc cases

not-just-body-fat-your-muscle-health-may-play-a-larger-role-in-type-2-diabetes-risk-study-finds

Not Just Body Fat, Your Muscle Health May Play A Larger Role In Type 2 Diabetes Risk, Study Finds

captain-sully-sullenberger-miracle-on-the-hudson-pilot-reveals-early-stage-alzheimers-diagnosis

Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, ‘Miracle On The Hudson’ Pilot, Reveals Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is most likely to be bigger than what official figures suggest. It said that the true number of infections potentially two to four times higher than reported. The alarming update comes as the outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the history. Ebola Cases In DRC Near 2,000As of July 14, 2026, health authorities confirmed recording 1,926 confirmed cases and 702 deaths due to Ebola, but WHO officials believe those numbers significantly underestimate the real picture of transmission as many infections are going undetected and unreported across communities.Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Regional Director for Emergencies at WHO, said the outbreak is spreading faster than surveillance systems can track it. "We think, with some of our support and modelling, the scale of the outbreak is at least two to four times the number of cases we are finding," Ihekweazu said. He also said that the DRC cannot tackle the epidemic by itself, appealing for international support and warning that the response is severely underfunded. WHO says it has received only about 40% of the $115 million required for the emergency response. Also read: Congo Starts Ebola Treatment Trial As Cases Reach 1,427, Deaths Hit 440Challenges In Containing DRC Ebola Outbreak The outbreak was first declared in May and is centered in Ituri province. Infections have now spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo. Around 90% of reported cases remain concentrated in Ituri, particularly in the city of Bunia. Health experts say one of the biggest challenges is that around 80% of new infections cannot be linked to known Ebola patients, indicating widespread hidden community transmission. Many patients are dying at home before reaching treatment centers, making contact tracing increasingly difficult. Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks driven by the Zaire strain, the current epidemic involves the Bundibugyo virus, for which no licensed vaccine or approved treatment currently exists. Scientists hope that ongoing clinical trials evaluating the antiviral drug remdesivir and the experimental antibody therapy MBP134 could help improve survival rates. The WHO and the DRC's National Institute of Biomedical Research recently began enrolling patients into the study. Containment efforts are also being hampered by armed conflict, community mistrust, misinformation and strikes by local healthcare workers over unpaid wages. WHO has responded by expanding lab capacity and training more than 21,000 community health workers to strengthen surveillance and treatment. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also described the outbreak as spreading "substantially faster than previous Ebola outbreaks," noting that it surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases within just 40 days of response activation.About Ebola?Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever first identified in 1976. Since then, more than 30 outbreaks have been recorded, primarily in Central and West Africa. Common symptoms of Ebola include: FeverHeadacheWeakness and fatigueVomitingDiarrheaMuscle painSore throatUnexplained bleeding or bruising.

who says “fastest growing” drc ebola outbreak may be four times bigger than official count as cases near 2,000

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

WHO Says “Fastest Growing” DRC Ebola Outbreak May Be Four Times Bigger Than Official Count As Cases Near 2,000

Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, ‘Miracle On The Hudson’ Pilot, Reveals Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Trump Administration Drops Plan To Cut Medicaid Funding For Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth

Your Country May Influence Your Dementia Risk More Than You Think, Study Suggests

Health Conditions A-Z

Not Just Body Fat, Your Muscle Health May Play A Larger Role In Type 2 Diabetes Risk, Study Finds

WHO Says “Fastest Growing” DRC Ebola Outbreak May Be Four Times Bigger Than Official Count As Cases Near 2,000

Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, ‘Miracle On The Hudson’ Pilot, Reveals Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Diagnosis