KINSHASA / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo reports a total of 8,067 Ebola infections in its ongoing outbreak. As of September 26, health officials have documented 3,901 deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate close to 48%. The epidemic has impacted 63 health zones across seven provinces, becoming the largest and most lethal Ebola outbreak in the nation’s history. The DRC Ministry of Public Health announced the outbreak on May 15, following laboratory confirmation of the Bundibugyo virus as the causative agent.
This is the 17th recognized Ebola epidemic in the country. The Bundibugyo virus is capable of causing severe illness and spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. According to the World Health Organization, no licensed vaccine or approved treatment is specifically directed at this Ebola species. Response efforts have focused on surveillance, testing, clinical management, infection prevention, and contact tracing. Community engagement remains essential, as authorities strive to identify cases early and connect patients with available treatment facilities.
While Ituri continues to be the primary site of transmission, 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 identified infections in 28 of its 36 health zones, while North Kivu reported cases in 16 of its 34 zones. The extensive geographic distribution has compelled health teams to maintain active surveillance across urban, rural, and border regions.
Recent decline in new infections compared to previous peaks
Recent data indicates a reduction in new cases and fatalities relative to earlier phases of the outbreak. Incident cases have decreased by 20.3% over the most recent 14-day periods, with deaths declining by 24.2% during the same timeframe. Nonetheless, transmission remains intense in parts of Ituri, where multiple areas continue to experience active spread. Health teams persist with testing, contact monitoring, and enhanced infection control measures at treatment sites and other locations handling suspected or confirmed Ebola cases.
By September 26, authorities reported 2,070 recoveries. Efforts continue to include laboratory testing, patient care, and community surveillance throughout affected provinces. Challenges persist in promptly identifying some infections, which hampers swift patient transfer into treatment. Community deaths are also a persistent concern, as they can occur before patients reach specialized care. Early detection remains crucial for minimizing exposure among family members, 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 country’s epidemic from 2018 to 2020, which had a final tally of 3,481 cases and 2,299 deaths. It is now 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 exceptional magnitude of the ongoing outbreak within the DRC’s extensive history of Ebola crises.
Health officials continue to monitor border regions, as the epidemic affects 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. Surveillance, contact tracing, testing, treatment, and infection prevention activities are ongoing. Current figures show a slowdown from recent peaks but do not indicate an end to transmission. Over 8,000 confirmed cases and nearly 4,000 deaths highlight the severity of this Ebola emergency, making it one of the most critical on record.