The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached more than 5,500 confirmed cases, making it the country’s largest recorded Ebola outbreak, as Pope Leo XIV urges the international community to step up efforts to protect lives and support communities affected by the crisis.
The outbreak, which was declared in May, is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. According to the World Health Organization, the virus has spread rapidly across multiple provinces, with transmission now occurring across dozens of health zones. The WHO says the outbreak has grown faster than previous Ebola epidemics in the country and requires a major expansion of the response.
The latest figures highlight the seriousness of the situation. More than 5,200 cases had already been recorded by August 24, with thousands of deaths reported. The high fatality rate has added to concerns over the ability of health authorities and international partners to contain the disease as quickly as it is spreading.
The current outbreak is particularly challenging because the Bundibugyo virus is a relatively rare form of Ebola for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Health workers are therefore relying heavily on early diagnosis, isolation, supportive medical care, contact tracing and measures designed to prevent further transmission while researchers work on potential vaccines and treatments.
The response is also being complicated by conflict, population displacement and limited access to healthcare in parts of eastern DR Congo. WHO has warned that insecurity can prevent response teams from reaching affected communities and make it harder to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus. Movement between communities and across borders also increases the risk of further spread.
Pope Leo XIV used his weekly prayer in St Peter’s Square to call attention to the worsening crisis, urging greater international cooperation and support for the Congolese people. His appeal comes as health officials warn that the response needs substantially more resources to keep pace with the rapid increase in infections and deaths.
The scale of the outbreak has already surpassed the previous largest Ebola epidemic in DR Congo, which occurred between 2018 and 2020 and recorded 3,317 confirmed cases. Officials now fear that without a significant increase in funding, healthcare capacity and community cooperation, the current outbreak could become an even greater international health emergency.
For DR Congo, the priority remains slowing transmission, reaching isolated communities and protecting frontline health workers. For the wider international community, the outbreak is another reminder that infectious diseases can escalate rapidly when health systems are weakened by conflict, displacement and limited resources.
play_arrow 
play_arrow 
play_arrow 
