DR Congo Ebola outbreak: deaths reach 3,699 as cases pass 7,600

Thursday 24 September 2026 - 10:30

The Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached a critical scale, with 7,672 confirmed cases and 3,699 deaths recorded by the latest national health authorities’ report. The case-fatality rate stands at 48.2%, underscoring the severity of an epidemic that continues to place considerable pressure on the country’s health system.

An outbreak expanding across seven provinces

The epidemic, officially declared in May 2026, has spread well beyond its initial focus in Ituri Province in northeastern DR Congo. According to the latest figures, confirmed infections have been reported across 63 health zones in seven provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, Bas-Uélé and Sud-Ubangi.

Ituri remains the main centre of transmission. The province accounts for the largest share of recorded cases, while North Kivu has also experienced a significant increase in infections. The geographical expansion has complicated efforts to detect cases rapidly and maintain effective surveillance in affected communities.

Thousands of patients have recovered

Despite the high mortality rate, the latest health figures also record 1,879 recoveries, while 886 patients remain hospitalized or in isolation.

The outbreak is taking place in areas already affected by insecurity, population displacement and limited access to healthcare. These conditions can make it harder for medical teams to reach patients, trace contacts and maintain continuous disease surveillance.

The World Health Organization has previously warned that the outbreak was expanding rapidly and had become the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By late August, WHO had already documented transmission across six provinces and 60 health zones.

Bundibugyo virus poses a particular challenge

The current epidemic is caused by Bundibugyo ebolavirus, a strain for which there is currently no licensed vaccine or proven specific treatment. Clinical research and response efforts are nevertheless continuing, while health authorities and international partners work to strengthen surveillance, patient care and community protection.

The WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on May 17, reflecting the scale and potential cross-border implications of the epidemic.

A record outbreak for DR Congo

The scale of the current epidemic has surpassed the previous major Ebola outbreak in the country, which occurred between 2018 and 2020. WHO reported that the earlier outbreak recorded 3,317 confirmed cases, making the 2026 epidemic substantially larger in terms of confirmed infections.

The latest figures therefore place the current crisis among the most significant Ebola outbreaks ever documented. International health agencies continue to monitor the situation closely, particularly because of population movements across borders and the humanitarian challenges affecting several of the provinces where transmission is occurring.