KINSHASA / RankWire.AI / – In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the latest Ebola outbreak has resulted in 8,067 confirmed cases, with health authorities reporting 3,901 deaths through September 26. The fatality rate is approximately 48%. This outbreak has affected 63 health zones across seven provinces and is now the largest and deadliest Ebola event recorded in the country. The DRC Ministry of Public Health announced the outbreak on May 15 after laboratory testing identified Bundibugyo virus as the cause.
This marks the 17th Ebola epidemic documented in the country. The Bundibugyo virus causes severe illness and transmits through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. According to the World Health Organization, there is no licensed vaccine or approved treatment specifically targeting this Ebola strain. Response efforts have focused on surveillance, testing, clinical care, infection control, and contact tracing. Community outreach remains vital as authorities aim to detect infections early and connect patients with treatment facilities.
While Ituri remains the primary site of transmission, infections have now spread beyond that province. Cases have also been reported in North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut Uele, Bas Uele, and Sud Ubangi. By September 23, Ituri had identified cases in 28 of its 36 health zones, whereas North Kivu reported cases in 16 of its 34 zones. The widespread geographic distribution has compelled health teams to conduct surveillance across urban, rural, and border regions.
Recent decline in new cases and fatalities observed
Recent data indicates a decrease in new infections and deaths compared to earlier stages of the outbreak. Incident cases declined by 20.3% over the most recent two 14-day periods, with deaths falling by 24.2% in the same timeframe. Nonetheless, transmission remains intense in parts of Ituri, where several areas continue to experience active spread. Health teams persist in testing and monitoring contacts, while enhancing infection prevention at treatment sites and other locations where suspected or confirmed Ebola patients are cared for.
By September 26, authorities had documented 2,070 recoveries. Response teams continue laboratory testing, patient management, and community surveillance across affected provinces. Challenges remain in promptly identifying some infections, which hampers efforts to swiftly move patients into treatment. Community deaths are still a concern, as they can occur before patients reach specialized care. Early detection is crucial for minimizing exposure risk to relatives, caregivers, and healthcare workers who may come into contact with infected individuals.
Current outbreak surpasses previous DRC record
The ongoing 2026 Ebola outbreak has exceeded the scale of the country’s 2018 to 2020 epidemic, which recorded 3,481 cases and 2,299 deaths. This current outbreak ranks as the second-largest Ebola epidemic worldwide. The largest remains the 2014 to 2016 West Africa crisis, which involved over 28,600 reported infections and more than 11,300 deaths. These figures underscore the exceptional magnitude of the present outbreak within the DRC’s history of Ebola emergencies.
Health officials continue to monitor border regions as the outbreak extends across provinces bordering neighboring countries. Haut Uele is close to South Sudan, while Sud Ubangi borders the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo. Surveillance activities, contact tracing, testing, treatment, and infection control are ongoing. Although transmission has slowed from recent peaks, it has not yet ceased. With over 8,000 confirmed cases and nearly 4,000 deaths, this outbreak remains one of the most severe Ebola emergencies on record.