The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed at least 2 011 lives this year, according to the latest official figures. Authorities warn this could become the deadliest epidemic in the country’s history. Government data released overnight shows a total of 4 381 confirmed cases.

While the first 1 000 deaths took roughly nine weeks to accumulate, the next 1 000 were recorded in just three weeks—a stark sign that the crisis is spiraling faster than containment efforts.

One major obstacle is the difficulty in delivering aid to remote areas, compounded by rebel violence, deteriorating roads, and strikes over unpaid wages among health workers.

Dr Jean-Marie Akandabo, treating patients in a local clinic in Ituri (northeast DRC), described the situation as ‘alarming’ and urged urgent reinforcements in affected communities.

This is the 17th recorded Ebola wave in the country, which is already recognized as the largest outbreak in DRC history. ‘It may well become the largest ever recorded’, warned Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the global vaccine alliance.

The current fatality rate stands at 45.9%—far higher than the 39.6% recorded during West Africa’s devastating 2014–2016 outbreak, which killed over 11 000 people from 28 000 cases and remains the deadliest Ebola epidemic on record.

State of emergency

Officials declared the outbreak on May 15, but genetic analysis shows it likely began months earlier, in February. The DRC government has since declared a public health emergency.

Unlike most previous outbreaks, this one involves the rare Bundibugyo Ebola strain—which has no approved vaccines or treatments. Clinical trials have begun in Ituri Province, the epicenter of the crisis in eastern DRC.

Humanitarian workers report that the epidemic continues to outpace response efforts across the five affected provinces in the east. Health staff strikes, triggered by unpaid salaries since the outbreak began, have further weakened containment. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that many new cases are still arising outside monitored contacts, meaning transmission remains largely uncontrolled.

‘Without an effective vaccine, control hinges on early detection and isolation of cases in secure facilities until recovery—or death’, explained Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia in the UK. ‘In remote, conflict-affected areas with disrupted communications, timely identification and isolation are nearly impossible.’

On Friday, WHO vaccine experts recommended launching a large-scale human trial using the only currently licensed Ebola vaccine, Ervebo, to assess whether it provides cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain currently circulating in DRC, for which no specific vaccine exists.

Ervebo has proven safe and effective against the Zaire strain, the most common Ebola variant. Preliminary data—including animal studies—suggest it may offer partial protection against the rare Bundibugyo strain driving the current outbreak.

Two potential vaccines against the Bundibugyo strain are in early human trial phases, with a third under development for initial testing.

Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, admitted authorities are ‘racing to catch up with a virus that’s already ahead’.

Ebola spreads through contact with bodily fluids and causes severe hemorrhagic fever. The virus was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.