KINSHASA / RankWire.AI / – Since the latest outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began, the number of confirmed Ebola cases has risen to 8,067. As of September 26, the death toll stands at 3,901, resulting in a case fatality rate of approximately 48%. Health authorities in Congo have identified cases in 63 health zones spanning seven of the country’s 26 provinces. This outbreak is now recognized as the largest and most lethal Ebola epidemic ever recorded within the nation.
The outbreak was officially declared on May 15, following the identification of Bundibugyo virus as the causative agent. It marks the 17th documented Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Bundibugyo virus is among the species of Ebola virus known to cause severe illness in humans. According to the World Health Organization, there are no licensed vaccines or approved treatments specifically targeting Bundibugyo virus disease.
While Ituri remains the primary hotspot, infections have been reported in several other regions. Provinces affected 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 recorded cases in 16 of its 34 zones.
Cases decrease but transmission persists at high levels
Recent reports from the World Health Organization show a decline in new infections and deaths. The organization reported a 20.3% decrease in incident cases over the two most recent 14-day periods, with deaths dropping by 24.2% in the same timeframe. Despite these improvements, transmission remains intense in parts of Ituri, including regions where health officials continue to observe worsening local trends.
By September 26, health teams had documented 2,070 recoveries, as efforts in surveillance and treatment persisted. Authorities also maintained contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention, and community outreach in affected areas. Challenges remain in rapid case detection and swift patient admission, with delays hindering effective response. Community deaths continue to be a concern, as they may signal that infected individuals did not access care early enough.
Current outbreak exceeds previous Ebola incidents in Congo
The ongoing 2026 epidemic has surpassed the scale of the Ebola outbreak that occurred in Congo from 2018 to 2020, which totaled 3,481 cases and 2,299 deaths. Globally, this outbreak ranks as the second largest Ebola epidemic, trailing behind the 2014 to 2016 West Africa crisis, which involved over 28,600 infections and more than 11,300 fatalities.
Health authorities continue to monitor the geographic spread of the virus, especially since several affected provinces border international countries. Dungu health zone in Haut Uele shares a border with South Sudan, while Sud Ubangi borders the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo. Response efforts remain focused on early detection, patient care, and infection control. Despite a recent decline in reported cases and deaths, the latest national data indicates that Ebola transmission persists.