The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing an Ebola outbreak that the World Health Organization says has expanded faster than any previous one, while neighbouring Uganda has discharged its last remaining patient and moves closer to being declared virus-free.
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Key facts
- The WHO says Ebola has 'expanded faster than any previous outbreak' in the DRC.
- Uganda has discharged its last remaining Ebola patient.
- Uganda is close to being declared virus-free.
- The situation was reported by Al Jazeera on July 16, 2026.
Ebola is spreading more rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning that the current outbreak has grown faster than any previous one, according to Al Jazeera.
At the same time, neighbouring Uganda appears to be bringing its own outbreak under control. The country has discharged its last remaining Ebola patient and is close to being declared virus-free, Al Jazeera reported.
The contrast between the two nations highlights how differently the disease can progress across borders, with one country nearing the end of its outbreak while the other confronts an accelerating spread.
The WHO’s characterisation of the DRC outbreak as expanding faster than any previous outbreak underscores the scale of the challenge facing health authorities there.
Al Jazeera published the report on July 16, 2026. Further details on case numbers, affected regions and the response effort were not provided in the available source material.
Why it matters
Ebola is a severe and often fatal illness, and an outbreak that is spreading faster than any before it raises serious concerns for public health in the DRC and the wider region. Uganda's progress toward being virus-free offers a contrasting example of how containment efforts can succeed.
Frequently asked questions
What did the WHO say about the Ebola outbreak in the DRC?
According to Al Jazeera, the WHO said Ebola has 'expanded faster than any previous outbreak' in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
What is the situation in Uganda?
Uganda has discharged its last remaining Ebola patient and is close to being declared virus-free, according to Al Jazeera.
When was this reported?
Al Jazeera published the report on July 16, 2026.
Timeline
- Ebola spreading more quickly in DRC, while Uganda is close to being virus-free
Al Jazeera: Uganda discharges last-remaining patient, as WHO says Ebola has 'expanded faster than any previous outbreak' in DRC.