KINSHASA / RankWire.AI / – Since the onset of its latest outbreak, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed a total of 8,067 Ebola cases. As of September 26, the death toll stood at 3,901, resulting in an approximate case fatality rate of 48%. Reports from health authorities indicate cases spanning 63 health zones within seven of the country’s 26 provinces. This outbreak has become the largest and most lethal Ebola epidemic recorded in the nation.
The government officially declared the outbreak on May 15, identifying the Bundibugyo virus as the causative agent. It marks the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s 17th documented Ebola outbreak. The Bundibugyo virus is recognized as one of the Ebola virus species capable of causing severe illness in humans. According to the World Health Organization, no licensed vaccine or approved treatment specifically targets Bundibugyo virus disease.
While Ituri remains the primary hotspot of the outbreak, infections have also spread to various other regions. The affected provinces include Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut Uele, Bas Uele, and Sud Ubangi. Data from WHO revealed that by September 23, Ituri had reported cases in 28 of its 36 health zones, whereas North Kivu had recorded cases in 16 of its 34 zones.
Cases are decreasing, but transmission levels remain high
Recent reports indicate a decline in new infections and fatalities, according to the World Health Organization. The organization reported a 20.3% reduction in incident cases over the last two 14-day periods, with a 24.2% decrease in deaths during the same timeframe. Despite these encouraging trends, transmission persists at high levels in certain parts of Ituri, including areas where health officials continue to observe worsening local trends.
As of September 26, health teams had documented 2,070 recoveries, with efforts ongoing in surveillance and treatment. Authorities also maintained contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention, and community outreach across affected zones. Challenges such as delays in case detection and swift patient admission have hampered response efforts. The continued occurrence of community deaths underscores the concern that many infected individuals do not access care early enough.
The outbreak has eclipsed previous Ebola episodes in Congo
The 2026 epidemic has exceeded the scope of the country’s 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak, which recorded 3,481 cases and 2,299 deaths in total. This current outbreak ranks as the second-largest Ebola epidemic ever documented worldwide. The largest remains the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic, which involved over 28,600 infections and more than 11,300 fatalities.
Health officials continue to track the geographic spread of the outbreak, especially 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 persist in their 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.