What is the Ebola virus mortality rate in the 2026 outbreak?

Ebola virus disease has a historical case-fatality rate of 25-90% depending on strain, with Bundibugyo ebolavirus — the strain driving the active 2026 outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda — historically around 25-40%. Per the WHO Situation Report of 18 May 2026, the outbreak had recorded 528 reported cases (2 lab-confirmed in Uganda, 526 under investigation) and 132 deaths, with 668 contacts identified. No vaccine or monoclonal antibody therapy is currently approved for the Bundibugyo strain, unlike Zaire ebolavirus which has Ervebo and two approved antibody treatments. WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 18 May 2026.