{"success":true,"data":{"id":"7bd97914-9d2e-4596-88a5-99f9783ff8b1","title":"Ebola spreading more quickly in DRC, while Uganda is close to being virus-free","summary":"Navigation menu NewsShow more news sections More Show more sections Click here to search Navigation menu Ebola spreading more quickly in DRC, while Uganda is close to being virus-free Uganda ⁠discharges last-remaining patient, as WHO says Ebola has ‘expanded faster than any previous outbreak’ in DRC...","content":"Navigation menu\n*   [News](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/)Show more news sections\n\n*   More Show more sections\n\nClick here to search\n\nNavigation menu\n\n# Ebola spreading more quickly in DRC, while Uganda is close to being virus-free\n\n_Uganda ⁠discharges last-remaining patient, as WHO says Ebola has ‘expanded faster than any previous outbreak’ in DRC._\n\nListen (3 mins)\n\nSave\n\nClick here to share on social media\n\nAdd Al Jazeera on Google\n\nA doctor at the Rwampara Ebola Treatment Centre in Bunia in Ituri province, the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak in DRC [File: AFP]\n\nBy [Al Jazeera Staff](https://www.aljazeera.com/author/al_jazeera_staff_150119130629458), AFP and Reuters\n\nThe World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Ebola is spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo more quickly than in any previous outbreak.\n\nWHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters on Thursday that the Ebola outbreak in the DRC in 2018-2020 “took more than 10 months to reach 2,000 confirmed cases”. But this time more than [2,000 cases](https://www.aljazeera.com/editorial/2026/7/2/on-the-front-line-of-congos-ebola-outbreak) were confirmed in only two months, including 796 deaths.\n\n## Recommended Stories\n\nlist of 4 items\n*   list 1 of 4[Confirmed Ebola deaths in DR Congo hit 600](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/9/confirmed-ebola-deaths-in-dr-congo-hit-600)\n*   list 2 of 4[Staff at DR Congo Ebola centre strike as virus continues spreading](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/13/staff-at-congo-ebola-centre-strike-as-virus-continues-spreading)\n*   list 3 of 4[WHO warns DR Congo Ebola outbreak may be double the official tally](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/who-warns-dr-congo-ebola-outbreak-may-be-double-the-official-tally)\n*   list 4 of 4[DRC Ebola cases surpass 2,000 as more health workers begin strike](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/15/drc-ebola-cases-surpass-2000-as-more-health-workers-begin-strike)\n\nend of list\n“It is now the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record,” Tedros said. “In the past month, it has expanded faster than any previous outbreak.”\n\nThe DRC reported 62 new cases on Thursday, increasing its total number of confirmed infections to 2,073, though the ⁠⁠WHO has said the ⁠⁠true tally could be [at least double](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/who-warns-dr-congo-ebola-outbreak-may-be-double-the-official-tally) that.\n\nThe DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak was declared on May 15 after several deaths in Ituri, the mineral-rich northeastern province patrolled by several armed groups.\n\nCases of Ebola, which spreads through close contact and infected bodily fluids, have so far been found in five DRC provinces and neighbouring Uganda, though the vast majority are in Ituri.\n\nThe WHO chief highlighted that over 80 percent of new cases were being detected “outside known contact lists, showing that transmission chains are still being missed”.\n\nHe added that 377 people have recovered from Ebola in the DRC, “showing that with early diagnosis and safe care, this disease can be survived and stopped”.\n\nTo compound problems in Ituri, healthcare workers [began a strike](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/15/drc-ebola-cases-surpass-2000-as-more-health-workers-begin-strike) and blocked the entrance to Bunia General Hospital on Wednesday. Staff said they had not received any compensation for their work since the outbreak began, despite working under extremely difficult conditions.\n\nIn Uganda, things were looking up as its last remaining Ebola patient was discharged on Thursday, starting a 42-day countdown after which it can ⁠⁠be declared Ebola-free, said the East African nation’s health ministry.\n\nUganda had 20 cases of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola since mid-May. Fifteen were people infected in the DRC who then travelled to Uganda.\n\nGet instant alerts and updates based on your interests. Be the first to know when big stories happen.\n\nYes, keep me updated\n\nUnlike the surging number of infections in DRC, Uganda has not reported a new case since June 22 .\n\n“Today, Uganda has discharged the last Ebola patient, a Congolese national who has successfully recovered and [is] ⁠⁠ready to be with his family,” Uganda’s health ministry posted on X.\n\n“Uganda starts ‌‌counting down. If 42 days pass without a single new case, WHO guidelines stipulate ‌‌that we will be declared Ebola-free.”","source_name":"Al Jazeera","source_url":"https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/16/ebola-spreading-more-quickly-in-drc-while-uganda-is-close-to-being-virus-free?traffic_source=rss","url":"https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/16/ebola-spreading-more-quickly-in-drc-while-uganda-is-close-to-being-virus-free?traffic_source=rss","author":"Unknown Author","author_name":"Unknown Author","published_at":"2026-07-16T19:05:09.000Z","publication_date":"2026-07-16T19:05:09.000Z","image_url":"https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/afp_6a590ef4374f-1784221428.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80","category":"world","topic":"world","tags":[],"political_bias":null,"bias_score":null,"confidence_score":null,"credibility_score":null,"factual_quality":null,"reading_time":3,"word_count":585,"view_count":0,"breaking":false,"breaking_news":false,"ai_analysis":null,"fact_check_status":"unverified","archive_status":"hot"}}