Ebola cases in DRC hit 5,515 as Pope Leo urges global action to save lives

The Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with a severe Ebola outbreak, with confirmed cases recently climbing to 5,515 and a death toll reaching 2,642. This epidemic, which began in mid-May 2026, has escalated to become the deadliest in the nation's history, marking its 17th occurrence of the virus. The fatality rate has surged to nearly 48 percent, indicating a significant risk to those infected.

In response to the escalating crisis, Pope Leo XIV has issued a strong appeal for international intervention to help curb the spread of the disease and protect lives. The World Health Organization has declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, extending its alert to include neighboring Uganda due to the outbreak's rapid and widespread impact.

Efforts to contain the virus face substantial obstacles, including ongoing armed conflicts, significant population displacement, and dangerous attacks on healthcare workers and facilities. Despite these challenges, there have been improvements in contact tracing. The international community is urged to provide a robust response, involving local communities in prevention strategies to save more lives.