The Ebola outbreak ravaging the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has now claimed over 2,000 lives, pushing this health crisis closer to the grim milestone set during the 2018-2020 epidemic—the deadliest in the country’s history.

Authorities declared the 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15, weeks behind schedule, marking it as the most severe in DRC’s history. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, warned it could “become the largest ever recorded globally.”

Death toll and spread of the epidemic

As of the latest official update, health officials confirm 2,011 fatalities out of 4,381 confirmed cases. The death toll surpassed the 1,000 mark just weeks ago, on July 22.

The 2018-2020 outbreak, previously the worst in DRC’s history, resulted in nearly 2,300 deaths from 3,500 recorded cases.

Current mortality rate for this outbreak stands at 45.9%, according to health authorities.

Challenges in containment

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba confirmed in a statement that the epidemic has not yet peaked, despite ongoing efforts. He expressed cautious optimism, stating that cases should begin declining within the next three months as control measures take effect.

The response faces significant hurdles: armed group violence and deep-rooted public distrust are severely hampering containment efforts.

Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Africa Regional Director, highlighted a critical challenge: “Only 30% of infected individuals receive care, while 70% die at home.”

Janabi emphasized that this pattern makes the current outbreak uniquely difficult to manage compared to previous ones.

Vaccine trials underway

The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved clinical trials to test the existing Ervebo vaccine—currently the only licensed Ebola vaccine—against the Bundibugyo variant driving the current outbreak. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, called the move “encouraging news.”

Given extensive safety data already available, experts propose advancing directly to Phase 3 trials, which typically involve large-scale participation.

Gavi confirmed that doses of Ervebo, sourced from the global Ebola vaccine stockpile it funds and maintains, will be made available to support the trials. The stockpile, produced by Merck, holds around 500,000 doses, with some stored permanently in DRC due to the country’s recurring outbreaks.

Gavi, established in 2000, brings together public and private donors to help developing nations access affordable vaccines.

Emerging vaccine candidates

Canada has granted Moderna authorization to begin clinical trials for its Bundibugyo-focused vaccine. Two additional candidates are in development: the rVSV Bundibugyo vaccine, developed by Hilleman Laboratories and labeled as “most promising” by WHO, and a vaccine from Oxford University, with the first volunteer dosed in late July.

International support

The United States announced an additional $242 million in funding to combat the Ebola outbreak in DRC. Since its discovery, Ebola—transmitted through bodily fluids and causing hemorrhagic fever—has claimed over 15,000 lives across Africa in the past five decades.