Storyline
Emerging infectious disease outbreaks and spillover risks
Multiple disease outbreaks are spreading across regions, including Ebola in Congo (with death toll exceeding 930) and warnings about potential Hantavirus and rodent-borne virus spillovers linked to climate change. Health systems are struggling to contain transmission due to security challenges, unknown infection chains, and limited medical resources.
This is a long-running storyline that has developed over 92 days. The homepage highlights its most recent activity, so the outlet count there reflects the latest wave. The totals above cover the full run.
CongoEbola outbreakHantavirusWorld Health OrganizationEastern Congo
2026-08-05
- WHO chief says Ebola outbreak is outpacing response as aid workers strike over pay
- WHO chief arrives in Congo to support Ebola response as cases near 4,000
- WHO chief arrives in Congo to support Ebola response as cases near 4,000
- WHO chief arrives in Congo to support Ebola response as cases near 4,000
- DR Congo Ebola Outbreak: 1,707 Dead as WHO Races to Trial Vaccines
- Ebola deaths top 1,700 in eastern Congo
2026-08-04
- Ebola kills 1,700 in eastern Congo as the fastest-growing outbreak surges
- Ebola kills 1,700 in eastern Congo as the fastest-growing outbreak surges
- Ebola kills over 1,700 as fastest-growing outbreak in eastern Congo
- DR Congo Ebola outbreak kills more than 1,700 as WHO accelerates trials
- Ebola kills 1,700 in eastern Congo as the fastest-growing outbreak surges
- Ebola kills 1,700 in eastern Congo as the fastest-growing outbreak surges
- Congo-Kinshasa: New Centre Opens At Heart of Record Ebola Outbreak
2026-08-01
2026-07-31
2026-07-30
- Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
- Congo says death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
- Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
- Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
- Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
- Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
- Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
- Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
- Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
- Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
- Africa: Conflicts Can Spread Infectious Diseases While Making Outbreaks Harder to Detect
- Congo-Kinshasa: Hunger Hampers Ebola Response As Cases Top 3,200 in DR Congo
2026-07-29
2026-07-28
- Ebola cases in Congo top 3,200, nearing record of the country’s worst outbreak
- Ebola cases in DR Congo top 3,200, nearing record of country’s worst outbreak
- Ebola cases in Congo top 3,200, nearing record of the country’s worst outbreak
- Ebola cases in Congo top 3,200, nearing record of the country’s worst outbreak
- Ebola cases in Congo top 3,200, nearing record of the country's worst outbreak
- Ebola cases in Congo top 3,200, nearing record of the country's worst outbreak
- Congo-Kinshasa: Oxford Begins Ebola Vaccine Trial
- Ebola response workers strike in DR Congo as death toll spikes
2026-07-27
- DR Congo records 3,200 Ebola cases, 1,405 deaths as outbreak worsens
- More health workers strike as Ebola cases in Congo near 3,000, including over 1,300 deaths
- Congo-Kinshasa: More Health Workers Strike As Ebola Cases in Congo Near 3,000, Including Over 1,300 Deaths
- Congo Ebola death toll tops 1,400 as vaccine trials start
- Ebola infections in DR Congo surge to 3,200, with 1,405 deaths