KINSHASA / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to grapple with its latest Ebola outbreak, which has now become one of the most severe in its history. The outbreak has affected 63 health zones across seven provinces, marking it as the largest and deadliest Ebola episode recorded in the country. As of September 26, health authorities have documented 8,067 Ebola cases and 3,901 fatalities, resulting in a fatality rate approaching 48%. The Ministry of Public Health officially declared the outbreak on May 15 after laboratory tests confirmed the Bundibugyo virus as the cause.
This incident represents the 17th Ebola epidemic documented in the nation. The Bundibugyo virus can cause 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. Consequently, health teams have prioritized surveillance, testing, clinical management, infection control, and contact tracing. Community outreach remains a vital component of the response, helping to identify cases early and link patients with healthcare facilities.
While Ituri continues to be the primary hub of transmission, the virus has spread beyond its borders. Cases have also been reported in North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut Uele, Bas Uele, and Sud Ubangi. By September 23, Ituri had identified infections 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 maintain ongoing surveillance across urban, rural, and border regions.
Recent decline in new cases and fatalities
Recent data indicates a decrease in new infections and deaths compared to earlier phases of the outbreak. The number of incident cases dropped by 20.3% over the last two 14-day periods, while fatalities declined by 24.2% during the same timeframe. Nevertheless, high transmission persists in parts of Ituri, with several areas continuing to report active spread. Response teams have persisted with testing and contact monitoring, while also enhancing infection prevention measures at treatment sites and other locations handling suspected or confirmed Ebola cases.
By September 26, authorities had recorded 2,070 recoveries. Efforts to conduct laboratory testing, deliver patient care, and monitor communities across affected provinces remain ongoing. Challenges in promptly identifying some infections have hampered efforts to swiftly transfer patients to treatment centers. Community deaths continue to pose a concern, as they can occur before individuals reach specialized care. Early detection remains crucial for limiting exposure among relatives, caregivers, and health workers who may come into contact with infected individuals.
Current outbreak surpasses previous DRC Ebola records
The 2026 Ebola outbreak has exceeded the scale of the country’s 2018 to 2020 epidemic, which recorded 3,481 cases and 2,299 deaths in total. This current crisis ranks as the second-largest Ebola outbreak documented globally, following the 2014 to 2016 West Africa epidemic, which involved over 28,600 reported infections and more than 11,300 deaths. This comparison underscores the extraordinary magnitude of the ongoing outbreak within the DRC’s long history of Ebola emergencies.
Health officials continue to monitor border regions as the outbreak affects provinces neighboring other countries. Haut Uele includes zones close to South Sudan, while Sud Ubangi borders both the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo. Efforts remain focused on contact tracing, testing, treatment, and infection control. Although transmission has slowed from recent peaks, it has not yet been halted. With over 8,000 confirmed cases and nearly 4,000 deaths, this outbreak remains one of the most severe Ebola crises on record.