KINSHASA / RankWire.AI / – Since the start of its latest Ebola outbreak, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed a total of 8,067 cases, with the death toll hitting 3,901 as of September 26, resulting in a case fatality rate of approximately 48%. The health authorities have reported cases across 63 health zones in seven of the country’s 26 provinces, making this the largest and deadliest Ebola epidemic recorded within the nation.
The outbreak was officially declared on May 15 after the Bundibugyo virus was identified as the causative agent. It marks the 17th documented Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola known to cause severe illness in humans, currently has no licensed vaccine or approved treatment according to the World Health Organization.
While Ituri remains the primary epicenter of the outbreak, infections have spread to several other regions. Provinces affected include Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut Uele, Bas Uele, and Sud Ubangi. Data from WHO indicated that by September 23, Ituri reported cases in 28 of its 36 health zones, and North Kivu in 16 of its 34 zones.
Transmission persists despite a decline in cases
Recent reports show a decrease in new infections and fatalities, according to the World Health Organization. The agency noted that incident cases dropped by 20.3% over the two most recent 14-day periods, with deaths decreasing by 24.2% during the same timeframe. Nonetheless, transmission remains high 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 as they maintained surveillance, treatment, contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention, and community outreach efforts across affected zones. Challenges persist in promptly detecting cases and providing timely treatment, with delays hampering response efforts. Community deaths remain a critical concern, as they may indicate that infected individuals are not reaching medical care early enough.
The outbreak exceeds previous Congo Ebola records
The 2026 outbreak has surpassed the scale of the Ebola crisis from 2018 to 2020, which reported 3,481 cases and 2,299 deaths in its final count. Currently, this outbreak ranks as the second-largest Ebola epidemic worldwide, following the 2014 to 2016 West Africa outbreak, which involved over 28,600 infections and more than 11,300 fatalities.
Health officials continue to track the geographic spread of the virus, as 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 are prioritizing early detection, patient management, and infection control. Despite a recent decline in cases and deaths, the latest national figures reveal that Ebola transmission persists.