The World Health Organization has warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo could become the most deadly in recorded history, according to a report by JawharaFM.
The warning was issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, as the outbreak continues to spread in the Central African nation. The WHO's assessment, as relayed by JawharaFM, indicates that current transmission trends could push the death toll beyond any previous Ebola epidemic.
The outbreak has already proven difficult to contain, with health workers facing challenges that have hampered response efforts. According to the report, the WHO's concern is based on the trajectory of the current outbreak, which shows no signs of slowing down despite international intervention.
This is not the first time Congo has dealt with Ebola. The country has experienced multiple outbreaks over the past decade, including a major epidemic between 2018 and 2020 that killed more than 2,200 people. However, the WHO's latest statement suggests this current outbreak may surpass those grim figures.
The warning comes as global health authorities remain on high alert for emerging infectious diseases. The WHO has been coordinating with local health ministries and international partners to deploy medical teams, vaccines, and treatment centers to affected regions.
JawharaFM's report did not specify the current case count or fatality numbers, but the WHO's explicit warning signals that the situation is deteriorating rapidly.
What to watch next: Whether the international community will scale up its response to prevent this outbreak from becoming the deadliest Ebola event on record.
