KINSHASA / RankWire.AI / – Since the onset of its latest outbreak, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has documented a total of 8,067 confirmed Ebola cases. As of September 26, the death toll has risen to 3,901, resulting in a case fatality rate of approximately 48%. The outbreak has affected cases across 63 health zones within seven of the country’s 26 provinces. Currently, this is the largest and most lethal Ebola epidemic ever recorded in the nation.
The outbreak was officially declared by the government on May 15, following the identification of the Bundibugyo virus as the causative agent. This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Bundibugyo virus is a recognized species of Ebola virus that causes 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 continues to be the primary epicenter of the outbreak, although infections have now been reported in several other regions. Provinces affected include Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut Uele, Bas Uele, and Sud Ubangi. Data from WHO indicate 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.
Transmission persists despite a decline in cases
Recent reports from the World Health Organization show a decrease in new infections and fatalities. The organization reported a 20.3% reduction in incident cases over the two latest 14-day periods, with a corresponding 24.2% decline in deaths. Nonetheless, transmission remains intense in certain parts of Ituri, particularly in areas where local trends continue to worsen according to health officials.
As of September 26, health teams had recorded 2,070 recoveries, with ongoing efforts in surveillance and treatment. These efforts include contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention, and community outreach in affected zones. Challenges persist in promptly detecting cases and rapidly initiating treatment, with delays often occurring. Community deaths continue to be a significant concern, as they may suggest that infected individuals did not access care early enough.
The outbreak exceeds previous Congo Ebola records
The 2026 Ebola epidemic has surpassed the scale of the 2018 to 2020 outbreak, which recorded 3,481 cases and 2,299 deaths. This current outbreak ranks as the second-largest Ebola epidemic documented worldwide. The largest remains the 2014 to 2016 West Africa crisis, which involved over 28,600 infections and more than 11,300 fatalities.
Health officials continue to observe the geographic expansion of the outbreak, as several affected provinces are near international borders. 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 maintaining focus on early detection, patient management, and infection control. Despite a recent decline in reported cases and deaths, the latest national figures indicate that Ebola transmission persists across the country.