DR Congo's Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak becomes deadliest ever

Key developments

1. Aug 28, 2026

   DR Congo's Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, with no approved vaccines or treatments, becomes the country's deadliest ever, with about 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths across six provinces and a rough…

2. Aug 20, 2026

   WHO and partners allocate 70,000 Ervebo Ebola vaccine doses to DRC, with 50,000 for frontline health workers and 20,000 for a trial testing cross-protection against Bundibugyo.

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3. Aug 21, 2026

   AFC/M23 rebels impose one-month movement restrictions on shared taxis and some boats near Goma to curb Ebola spread as cases surpass 5,000.

   6 sources on this →
4. Aug 21, 2026

   Madagascar announces a 21-day entry ban and mandatory quarantine for travelers arriving from Ebola-affected countries.

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Health

CEPI funds Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidate into clinic

CEPI announced up to $16.5 million to Minapharm/ProBioGen to advance Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine into early-stage human trials in Africa, marking the fifth Bundibugyo-specific candidate it backs and aiming to have at least two vaccines reach Emergency Use Authorization and WHO prequalification amid the DRC outbreak. The UN warns the outbreak is the largest and fastest-growing in DRC and seeks about $1.1 billion, while CEPI grapples with a substantial funding shortfall despite borrowing $100 million from existing programs and additional pledges to push vaccine development forward.

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Photo: CDC/ Dr. Frederick A. Murphy / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Health

DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Expands, Death Toll Rises

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is grappling with the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in its history, centered in Ituri, with 5,514 confirmed cases and 2,642 deaths and a case fatality rate near 48%, including many deaths occurring outside treatment centers. While tens of thousands of vaccine doses have arrived, authorities warn Ervebo’s effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus is unproven and call for scaled-up action to reach affected communities and bolster response efforts.