The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has become the second-largest on record, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday, as confirmed cases rose to 4,449 with 2,061 deaths.

The latest figures released on Wednesday by the DRC's public health authorities showed that the overall case fatality rate stood at 46.3%. A total of 716 patients remain in isolation or hospital care, while 886 people have recovered.

At a press briefing in Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak had gained a significant head start before it was detected and that response efforts were still struggling to catch up.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, speaks during a meeting with partners in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, August 5, 2026. /VCG

About 90% of all confirmed cases and 80% of deaths have been reported in Ituri Province, where sustained transmission continues, according to the WHO.

Tedros said a high proportion of deaths continue to occur in communities rather than treatment centers, while many cases are being detected outside known contact lists, indicating that transmission chains remain unidentified.

The outbreak, caused by Bundibugyo ebolavirus, was declared by the DRC government on May 15.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said investigations suggest the virus may have been circulating for two to three months before the outbreak was formally detected, although the exact start of transmission remains under investigation.

(With input from Xinhua News Agency)