KINSHASA / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed 8,067 Ebola cases in its latest outbreak. Health authorities recorded 3,901 deaths through September 26, with the fatality rate approaching 48%. The outbreak has affected 63 health zones across seven provinces, making it the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak in the country’s history. The DRC Ministry of Public Health declared the outbreak on May 15 after laboratory tests identified Bundibugyo virus as the responsible pathogen.
This marks the 17th Ebola epidemic documented in the country. The Bundibugyo virus can cause severe illness and spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. The World Health Organization states that there is no licensed vaccine or approved treatment specifically targeting this Ebola strain. In response, health teams have focused on surveillance, testing, clinical care, infection control, and contact tracing. Community outreach remains a vital component of the strategy, helping to identify cases early and connect patients with treatment centers.
Ituri continues to be the primary site of transmission, although the virus has 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 documented infections in 28 out of its 36 health zones. North Kivu reported cases in 16 of its 34 zones. The widespread geographic distribution has compelled health teams to maintain surveillance across urban, rural, and border regions.
Recent decline in new cases and fatalities
Recent reports indicate a decrease in new infections and deaths compared to earlier phases of the outbreak. Incident cases dropped by 20.3% over the last two 14-day periods. Deaths declined by 24.2% during the same timeframe. Despite this progress, transmission remains intense in parts of Ituri, where several areas continue to experience active spread. Health teams persist in testing, contact monitoring, and enhancing infection prevention at treatment facilities and other locations handling suspected or confirmed Ebola cases.
By September 26, authorities had recorded 2,070 recoveries. Response teams continue to conduct laboratory testing, patient care, and community monitoring across affected provinces. Difficulties in promptly identifying some infections have hindered efforts to swiftly move patients into treatment. Community deaths remain a concern, as they can occur before patients reach specialized care. Early detection is crucial to reduce exposure among relatives, caregivers, and health workers who may come into contact with infected individuals.
The outbreak now surpasses previous DRC records
The current 2026 outbreak has exceeded the scale of the country’s Ebola epidemic from 2018 to 2020. That earlier outbreak resulted in 3,481 cases and 2,299 deaths. This epidemic ranks as the second-largest Ebola outbreak recorded globally. The 2014 to 2016 West Africa epidemic remains the largest, with more than 28,600 reported infections and over 11,300 deaths. These comparisons underscore the exceptional magnitude of the present outbreak within the DRC’s ongoing Ebola crises.
Health officials continue to monitor border regions as the outbreak extends into provinces neighboring other countries. Haut Uele includes zones near South Sudan, while Sud Ubangi borders the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo. Monitoring efforts continue alongside contact tracing, testing, treatment, and infection control activities. The latest data indicates that transmission has slowed from recent peaks but has not been fully contained. With over 8,000 confirmed cases and nearly 4,000 deaths, this remains one of the most severe Ebola emergencies on record.