DRC Ebola outbreak logs 37 deaths in 24h, total 930

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ministry of Health has reported a sharp spike in deaths from the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, with 37 fatalities recorded in a single 24-hour period spanning July 18 to July 19, 2026. This marks one of the highest daily death tolls since the outbreak was declared on May 15 and brings the cumulative confirmed death toll to 930 from 2,344 laboratory-confirmed cases as of July 18. The World Health Organization has characterized this as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in recorded history, noting it reached 2,000 cases in just two months, a pace far exceeding previous epidemics.

The surge in deaths occurs as the outbreak response faces severe structural challenges. The primary impact zones are in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, regions already overwhelmed by armed conflict. The health system has been further stressed by at least 12 direct attacks on medical facilities and teams since mid-May and ongoing strikes by healthcare workers protesting months of unpaid wages. At least 36 healthcare workers have died from the virus. Officials note that more than 80 percent of new cases are being detected outside known contact lists, indicating that...