Congo Ebola outbreak may become deadliest ever, WHO chief warns
The World Health Organization warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo could become the deadliest ever recorded, surpassing the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic that killed at least 11,000 people. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the 2026 outbreak could "eclipse" that previous toll. The outbreak, declared on May 15, has recorded at least 4,300 cases and more than 2,000 deaths. WHO officials believe the virus began spreading in February, with early cases misdiagnosed as malaria or typhoid. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved vaccine or treatment. The response is complicated by conflict in eastern Congo, with health workers reaching only about 30% of cases. However, the first human trials of a new vaccine have been approved in the UK, with three other groups developing potential vaccines.