The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues its relentless spread, now claiming over 2,000 lives—drawing closer to the devastating 2018–2020 epidemic, the deadliest in the nation’s history.

The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15, weeks behind schedule. Health officials warn this may become the largest Ebola epidemic ever recorded globally, according to Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

The latest official figures from Congolese health authorities, released Tuesday, report 2,011 deaths out of 4,381 confirmed cases. The grim milestone of 1,000 deaths was surpassed on July 22.

The 2018–2020 outbreak remains the most lethal in DRC history, with nearly 2,300 fatalities among 3,500 recorded cases.

Current mortality rates for this outbreak stand at 45.9%, as confirmed by Congolese health authorities.

Health minister warns epidemic has not yet peaked

Samuel Roger Kamba, DRC’s Minister of Health, cautioned Tuesday in an X interview that the outbreak has not yet reached its peak.

He expressed cautious optimism that cases may begin to decline within the next three months, stating, “We expect to have controlled the spread and seen a reduction in cases.”

Challenges in containment: violence and distrust

Escalating insecurity fueled by armed groups and deep-rooted public mistrust are severely hampering response efforts in affected provinces.

Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, highlighted a troubling trend Monday during a press conference in Bunia, capital of Ituri province: “Only 30% of cases are detected before death—70% occur at home.”

He added, “This is what makes this Ebola outbreak different.”

Vaccine trials underway amid global support

On Friday, WHO experts recommended fast-tracking clinical trials for the Ervebo vaccine—the only Ebola vaccine currently licensed—despite its inactivity against the Bundibugyo strain driving the current outbreak.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, called the development “encouraging news” on X.

The Ervebo vaccine, produced by Merck, has a strong safety profile backed by extensive data. WHO experts propose advancing directly to Phase 3 trials—typically involving thousands of participants—given the urgency.

Doses from the global Ebola vaccine stockpile, managed by Gavi, will support these trials. The stockpile holds around 500,000 doses, with a portion maintained in DRC due to the country’s recurring outbreaks.

Gavi, founded in 2000, is a public–private partnership dedicated to improving vaccine access in low-income countries.

Canada has also approved Moderna to begin clinical trials for its experimental Bundibugyo vaccine.

Two additional candidates are in development: the rVSV Bundibugyo vaccine, described by WHO as the “most promising”, developed by Hilleman Laboratories, and a candidate from the University of Oxford, which began human trials in late July.

The United States announced Wednesday an additional $242 million in funding to combat the Ebola outbreak in DRC.

Ebola, a hemorrhagic fever transmitted through bodily fluids, has killed over 15,000 people across Africa over the past five decades.