KINSHASA / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo government has reported a total of 8,067 Ebola cases in its ongoing outbreak. According to health authorities, there have been 3,901 fatalities recorded up to September 26, resulting in an approximate fatality rate of 48%. The outbreak has expanded across 63 health zones within seven provinces, marking the largest and deadliest Ebola event in the nation’s history. The DRC Ministry of Public Health announced the outbreak on May 15, following laboratory confirmation that Bundibugyo virus was responsible.
This incident represents the 17th documented Ebola epidemic in the country. The Bundibugyo virus is known to cause severe illness and transmits through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. The World Health Organization states that no licensed vaccine or approved treatment specifically targets this strain of Ebola. Consequently, health teams are relying on surveillance, diagnostic testing, clinical management, infection prevention, and contact tracing. Community engagement remains vital as authorities strive to detect infections early and connect patients with available treatment facilities.
While Ituri continues to be the primary hub of transmission, infections have spread well beyond that province. Cases have been identified in North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut Uele, Bas Uele, and Sud Ubangi. By September 23, Ituri had reported cases in 28 of its 36 health zones, and North Kivu had cases in 16 of its 34 zones. The extensive geographic spread has compelled health teams to maintain vigilant surveillance across urban, rural, and border regions.
Recent decline in new cases from peak levels
Latest reports indicate a reduction in new infections and fatalities compared to earlier phases of the outbreak. Incident cases decreased by 20.3% over the two most recent 14-day periods, while deaths declined by 24.2% in the same timeframe. Despite this progress, transmission remains persistent in parts of Ituri, where several areas continue to report active spread. Health teams persist with testing, contact monitoring, and reinforcing infection control protocols at treatment sites and other locations managing suspected or confirmed Ebola cases.
By September 26, authorities had recorded 2,070 recoveries. Response efforts include ongoing laboratory testing, patient management, and community surveillance throughout affected provinces. Challenges persist in swiftly identifying some infections, which hampers quick patient transfer into treatment centers. Community deaths also continue to be a concern, as they can occur before patients reach specialized care. Early detection remains crucial to minimize exposure among relatives, caregivers, and healthcare workers who may come into contact with infected individuals.
The outbreak surpasses previous DRC records
The current 2026 Ebola outbreak has exceeded the scale of the 2018-2020 epidemic, which recorded 3,481 cases and 2,299 deaths. It is now the second-largest Ebola outbreak documented globally, with the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic remaining the largest, involving over 28,600 reported infections and more than 11,300 fatalities. This comparison underscores the extraordinary magnitude of the present outbreak within the DRC’s long history of Ebola crises.
Health officials continue to monitor border regions as the outbreak affects provinces near neighboring countries. Haut Uele borders South Sudan, while Sud Ubangi is adjacent to the Central African Republic and Republic of the Congo. Surveillance, contact tracing, testing, treatment, and infection prevention efforts are ongoing. Recent figures show a slowdown from previous peaks, but transmission has not ceased. With more than 8,000 confirmed cases and nearly 4,000 deaths, this remains one of the most severe Ebola emergencies recorded.