KINSHASA / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo has documented a total of 8,067 confirmed Ebola cases since the onset of its latest outbreak. As of September 26, the death toll has climbed to 3,901, resulting in a case fatality rate of approximately 48%. Authorities report cases across 63 health zones within seven of the country’s 26 provinces. This outbreak now ranks as the largest and most lethal Ebola epidemic recorded in the nation.
The government officially announced the outbreak on May 15, attributing it to the Bundibugyo virus. This marks the 17th known Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Bundibugyo virus is one of the Ebola virus strains known to cause severe illness in humans. According to the World Health Organization, there is currently no licensed vaccine or approved treatment specifically targeting Bundibugyo virus disease.
Ituri remains the epicenter of the outbreak, although infections have spread to several other regions. The affected provinces include Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut Uele, Bas Uele, and Sud Ubangi. WHO data indicated that by September 23, Ituri had reported cases in 28 of its 36 health zones, while North Kivu had cases in 16 of its 34 zones.
Decline in cases but persistent high transmission
Recent reports show a decrease in new infections and fatalities, according to the World Health Organization. The organization reported that incident cases dropped by 20.3% over the latest two 14-day periods. Deaths also decreased by 24.2% during this timeframe. Despite these declines, transmission remains intense in parts of Ituri, especially in areas where health officials continue to observe worsening local trends.
By September 26, health teams had recorded 2,070 recoveries. Efforts to monitor, treat, and trace contacts continue alongside laboratory testing, infection prevention, and community outreach in affected zones. Challenges persist in promptly detecting cases and providing timely treatment, with delays hampering efforts. Community deaths remain a serious concern, often indicating that infected individuals did not access care early enough.
The outbreak exceeds previous Ebola crises in Congo
This 2026 epidemic has surpassed the scale of the 2018 to 2020 Ebola outbreak in the country, which recorded 3,481 cases and 2,299 fatalities. It is also the second-largest Ebola epidemic worldwide, following the 2014 to 2016 West Africa crisis, which involved more than 28,600 infections and over 11,300 deaths.
Health officials are closely monitoring the outbreak’s spread, especially since several affected provinces border neighboring countries. Dungu health zone in Haut Uele borders South Sudan, while Sud Ubangi shares borders with the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo. Response teams remain focused on early detection, patient management, and infection control. Despite recent declines in reported cases and deaths, the latest national data indicate that Ebola transmission persists across the country.