The Ebola outbreak sweeping through the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has now claimed over 2,000 lives, pushing it closer to the devastating 2018-2020 epidemic—the country’s deadliest on record.

The DRC officially declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15, weeks behind schedule, marking the most severe outbreak in its history. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, warned it could “become the largest ever recorded globally.”

The latest health ministry data shows 2,011 deaths from 4,381 confirmed cases. The death toll surpassed 1,000 on July 22, highlighting the rapid escalation of this crisis.

The deadliest outbreak in DRC history, between 2018 and 2020, resulted in nearly 2,300 deaths out of 3,500 reported cases.

Current mortality rate for this outbreak stands at 45.9%, according to Congolese health authorities.

“We have not yet reached the peak,” warned Samuel Roger Kamba, Congo’s Health Minister, in a statement released by his ministry on X (formerly Twitter).

Despite efforts, health experts project the outbreak will not peak for another three months. “Within three months, we expect to have controlled the spread and begun seeing a decline in cases,” Kamba added.

The response faces immense challenges due to persistent insecurity fueled by armed groups and widespread public distrust in affected regions.

Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Africa Regional Director, revealed a troubling pattern: “Only 30% of cases are identified, while 70% of deaths occur at home.” This discrepancy underscores why this outbreak is unlike previous ones.

Vaccine trials are underway to combat the Bundibugyo Ebola variant, currently circulating in DRC. WHO experts have approved evaluating the Ervebo vaccine—currently the only approved Ebola vaccine—in a phase 3 clinical trial. This accelerated approach leverages existing safety data to fast-track evaluation.

The global Ervebo stockpile, produced by Merck and funded by Gavi, holds approximately 500,000 doses, with some permanently stationed in DRC due to recurrent outbreaks. Gavi, established in 2000, collaborates with public and private donors to ensure affordable vaccine access for developing nations.

Canada has authorized Moderna to initiate clinical trials for its Bundibugyo vaccine. Meanwhile, two other candidates are in development: the WHO-labeled “most promising” rVSV Bundibugyo vaccine by Hilleman Laboratories, and a candidate from the University of Oxford, which began human trials in late July.

The United States has pledged over $242 million in additional funding to combat the Ebola crisis in DRC. Ebola, transmitted through bodily fluids, causes hemorrhagic fever and has claimed over 15,000 lives across Africa in the past five decades.