Why Children Need Help Right Now
The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is intensifying, with sustained transmission and continued increases in reported cases and deaths. It is now the largest Ebola outbreak ever reported in DRC, and the second largest globally. The World Health Organization is warning that, if it continues spreading at its current pace, this outbreak will be the deadliest on record.
As of August 17th, 5,105 cases and 2,420 deaths have been confirmed. The outbreak is unfolding in communities already affected by conflict, displacement and weak health systems, making children especially vulnerable. As of August 5th, there are 800 confirmed cases of Ebola among children age 0-17 and 357 deaths.
5,102
Confirmed cases of Ebola Virus
2,420
Confirmed deaths from Ebola
3 Million
Children are at risk
Why This Ebola Outbreak Is Different
The current outbreak is especially concerning because it is concentrated in areas marked not only by limited health infrastructure, but also by insecurity, conflict-related displacement and population movement. This makes surveillance, contact tracing, safe referrals, and community engagement even more challenging, while increasing the risks for children, families, and frontline health workers.
A Different Ebola Strain
Health authorities have identified the strain, as the rare Bundibgyo Ebola virus, but stopping transmission relies heavily on surveillance, infection prevention and community engagement.
No Approved Vaccine
Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks, there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment available for the Bundibugyo strain, increasing the urgency of prevention and early detection efforts.
Conflict Is Fueling the Crisis
The outbreak is spreading in communities affected by conflict, displacement and fragile health systems, making it more difficult to reach families, trace contacts and deliver lifesaving services.
Millions Have Been Displaced
The outbreak is unfolding amid one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, where conflict and displacement continue to increase vulnerabilities for children and families.
“This outbreak is moving at a terrifying speed. I have responded to several Ebola outbreaks over the years, but this is the fastest spread I have ever seen. Children are paying a devastating price."
“When parents die, children suddenly lose the biggest support system they could possibly have and face fear, grief, stigma, and social exclusion."
-Dr. Babou Rukengeza, Save the Children’s Ebola Response Lead in the DRC
How Your Support Helps Children Impacted by the Ebola Outbreak
As Ebola spreads across communities, children face the loss of caregivers, interruptions to their education, and increased risks of family separation, trauma and exploitation. As of 18th August, Save the Children has reached 111,684 people, including 57,819 children, through Ebola preparedness and response activities in Ituri. Our response covers four pillars: infection prevention, community engagement, detection and referral of cases, and continuity of essential services.
Our impact so far includes:
Protecting Children's Health
We are training health workers, strengthening disease surveillance, supporting triage and isolation services, and helping health facilities improve infection prevention and control measures.
Preventing the Spread of Disease
Providing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support to health facilities and communities to reduce transmission risks. Supporting decontamination efforts and safe infection prevention practices in high-risk areas.
Keeping Children Safe
We are helping prevent family separation, providing psychosocial support, supporting family tracing and reunification, and establishing safe Observation Care Centers for children who may have been exposed to Ebola.
Supporting Learning and Recovery
We are helping schools prepare for safe reopening through hygiene measures, teacher training and child-friendly health information while supporting alternative learning approaches where needed.
Community Engagement
We are working with trusted community leaders, teachers and health workers to share accurate information, reduce misinformation and encourage early care-seeking.
Nutrition
We are supporting nutrition services, helping families maintain access to essential healthcare and providing safe feeding support for vulnerable children and infants.
Claudine*, 23, lives in a village in Ituri with her three-year-old daughter. Her husband left home four months ago to work in gold mine to provide the family. During her pregnancy, Claudine* managed alone, balancing farming and small-scale trading of cassava leaves to survive. At five months, she began attending antenatal care (ANC) at a Save the Children-supported health centre, where she was advised to avoid heavy labour and received key services, including vaccinations, malaria prevention, deworming and nutritional support.
After a few hours of labour in May 2026, Claudine* safely delivered her son without complications. Today, Claudine* is grateful for the care she received, which helped her navigate pregnancy safely despite a difficult environment. She thanks Save the Children for providing free healthcare that improves maternal health in her community.
Save the Children has a proven track record of using donations efficiently and effectively to change children's lives. We are proud to have received an A- rating from CharityWatch and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest score possible from America’s leading independent charity evaluator.
This recognition reflects our long-standing commitment to ethical governance, transparent operations, and fiscally responsible use of donor support.
Ebola Outbreak FAQs: Where It’s Spreading and What to Know
What is happening in the current Ebola outbreak?
A new Ebola outbreak was confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in May 2026. As of August 17, health authorities have reported 5,105 confirmed cases and 2,420 deaths, making it the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in DRC and the second largest globally.
The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine. Children and families are facing heightened risks in communities already affected by conflict, displacement and fragile health systems.
Save the Children is responding alongside local partners, governments and health authorities to help contain the outbreak, support affected families and protect children from its devastating impacts.
Why is this Ebola outbreak different?
This outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, which presents unique challenges for health workers and communities. Unlike some previous Ebola outbreaks, there is currently no approved vaccine available for this strain, making prevention, surveillance and early treatment even more critical.
The outbreak is also unfolding in areas affected by conflict, population displacement and limited access to healthcare. These conditions can make it harder to identify cases, trace contacts and reach families with lifesaving support, increasing the risk of further spread.
Detection was also delayed because samples had to be transported over 1,800 kilometers for testing. By the time the Bundibugyo strain was confirmed, it had already spread through communities, health facilities, and busy trade routes.
How did the current Ebola outbreak start and spread?
The first cases in the current outbreak are believed to have occurred in late April 2026 in Ituri Province. However, confirmation was delayed because samples had to be transported over 1,800 kilometers for testing.
During that time, the virus spread through:
- Close contact with infected individuals
- Caregiving and health settings
- Burial practices
Delayed detection allowed transmission to expand in both communities and health facilities. The virus has since spread to 31 health zones, with cases confirmed in Goma and in Uganda, raising concerns about regional transmission.
What are the symptoms of Ebola?
Common symptoms of Ebola include:
- Fever
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Weakness and muscle pain Internal and external bleeding
Those most at risk include:
- Health workers
- Family caregivers
- Children who depend on infected adults
Women and girls are often disproportionately affected because they are more likely to care for sick relatives.
How is the Ebola outbreak affecting children?
Children are especially at risk during an Ebola outbreak.
- As of August 5, there were 800 confirmed cases of Ebola among children age 0-17 and 357 deaths.
- In the current outbreak, children aged 14 and under are more than twice as likely to die as older age groups, often deteriorating rapidly without early identification and care.
- In past outbreaks, tens of thousands of children lost a parent or caregiver, and stigma and fear can lead to isolation and abandonment.
- Schools may close or become unsafe, causing great disruption to a child's education.
Save the Children's response includes dedicated child protection support, psychosocial services, and family reunification efforts.
How do conflict and displacement increase the spread of Ebola?
The outbreak is occurring in parts of eastern DRC that have been affected by years of conflict and large-scale displacement. 5.6 million people, including 2.5 million children, have been forced from their homes in DRC, and many communities face limited access to healthcare, clean water and other essential services.
Frequent movement between communities, insecurity, and challenges reaching remote areas make it harder to identify cases and stop transmission. These conditions also increase the burden on families already coping with multiple crises.
How Save the Children is responding to the Ebola Crisis?
As of 18th August, Save the Children has reached 111,684 people, including 57,819 children, through Ebola preparedness and response activities in Ituri. We are training 700 health workers and education personnel on infection prevention and control and providing support for 62 health facilities across 4 health zones. Implementing additional measures to reduce the risk of transmission, such as setting up temperature screening and handwashing facilities and providing chlorine as disinfectant and personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers.
We are strengthening disease surveillance and contact tracing, providing infection prevention and control materials, delivering WASH support, and helping communities access trusted health information. Child protection services, mental health support, family reunification efforts, and nutrition programming are also underway.
We have deployed members of our Emergency Health Unit (EHU), an expert team made up of medical and crisis specialists that are ready to travel at a moment’s notice to the heart of a crisis, whenever it strikes, to deliver integrated health and nutrition services.
Our response goes beyond health. Ebola is not only a public health emergency, it is also placing additional pressure on communities already affected by conflict, displacement and food insecurity, increasing the risk that families lose access to essential services and support systems they rely on. Save the Children is supporting outbreak control while ensuring vulnerable children and families can continue to access these services safely throughout the crisis.
What are the biggest challenges facing the Ebola response?
Responding to this outbreak is especially difficult because it is occurring in areas affected by conflict, displacement and weak health systems. Humanitarian organizations face challenges reaching some communities, while shortages of supplies and limited resources can slow response efforts.
Contact tracing, which is essential for breaking transmission chains, is currently running at just 56.5% against a 95% target, leaving thousands of contacts unreached. Insecurity and community resistance are key factors limiting progress.
Fear, uncertainty and misinformation are major challenges in this outbreak. Many people are worried about Ebola but do not always have access to clear or trusted information about how it spreads or how to stay safe. In some communities, rumors and mistrust have led to fear of health facilities, reluctance to seek care, and resistance to response measures.
The absence of an approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain adds another layer of complexity.
How can donations help children impacted by Ebola?
Donations to the Ebola Crisis Relief Fund can help Save the Children provide lifesaving support to children and families affected by the Ebola outbreak.
- $10 could provide soap and basic handwashing materials to help a family protect themselves from infection.
- $50 could purchase chlorine and cleaning materials to disinfect classrooms, health posts and water points.
- $1,000 could provide personal protective equipment for frontline health staff working in a community-based health center.
Every contribution helps strengthen the response and reach more children with the support they need.
Updated: August 20, 2026