Ebola Child Deaths Pass 300 as UNICEF Warns of Collapsing Essential Health Services

UNICEF reported on 8 August 2026 that more than 300 children have died in the DRC Ebola outbreak, with 743 confirmed child cases (ages 0-17) as of 2 August. Children make up nearly a quarter of confirmed cases but almost a third of all deaths; among children under five the case fatality rate exceeds 60%, more than double the roughly 30% CFR among adults. UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq cited the figures at a briefing, noting maternal deaths in Ituri Province have nearly doubled since the outbreak began, with about 6 women a week dying from childbirth-related complications, and that Ebola infection during pregnancy is associated with near-universal fetal loss. UNICEF also warned the outbreak is severely disrupting essential health services, with usage down more than 40% between April and June in the hardest-hit hotspots as fear of infection keeps people away. UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO and partners have deployed 13,000 community workers who have reached 2.4 million people with prevention information and conducted over 500,000 household visits.