Ebola Outbreak in DRC Reaches Record Scale: Nearly 5,000 Cases and 2,300 Deaths Reported

Ebola Outbreak in DRC Reaches Record Scale: Nearly 5,000 Cases and 2,300 Deaths Reported

The Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) — caused by the Bundibugyo virus — has become the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the country, with nearly 5,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,300 deaths as of mid-August 2026. Declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 2026, the outbreak continues to expand at an alarming pace across six provinces.

According to the latest data reported by the DRC government on 16 August 2026, a total of 4,945 confirmed cases, including 2,325 deaths, have now been recorded. This represents an increase of 280 cases and 141 deaths in just two days, underscoring how rapidly the virus is still spreading.

What Is the Bundibugyo Virus?

Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) is a severe form of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of several species of Orthoebolavirus. It is a zoonotic disease, with fruit bats suspected to be the natural reservoir.

The virus spreads to humans through close contact with the blood or secretions of infected wildlife — such as bats or non-human primates — and then from person to person through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces of infected individuals. Transmission is amplified in healthcare settings when infection prevention and control measures are inadequate, and during unsafe burial practices involving direct contact with the deceased.

Key Numbers: The Outbreak in Figures

• 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths reported in the DRC as of 15 August 2026 (case fatality ratio: 46.8%)
• 55 of 151 health zones affected across six provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, and Bas-Uélé
• Ituri province remains the epicentre, accounting for 4,194 cases and 1,838 deaths
• 730 patients currently hospitalised in isolation; 1,040 people have recovered
• 579 new cases and 304 deaths in a single week (3–9 August) — the highest weekly numbers of the entire outbreak
• 155 healthcare workers infected, including 45 deaths, highlighting serious occupational exposure risks

The outbreak has already surpassed the 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which recorded 3,317 cases, making this the largest Ebola disease outbreak ever documented in the country — and one that is expanding faster than any previous event.

Why Is the Outbreak Spreading So Fast?

Several factors are driving the exceptional pace of transmission. The outbreak is unfolding against a backdrop of severe humanitarian crisis and ongoing insecurity in eastern DRC, characterised by large-scale population displacement, significant population mobility, and constrained access to health care, safe water, food, and shelter.

Since the PHEIC declaration on 17 May 2026, the WHO has recorded at least 12 attacks on health care facilities, with additional reports under verification. These attacks have curtailed access for response teams, discouraged patients from seeking care, disrupted surveillance, and increased the risk of undetected transmission.

The virus is also reaching new geographic areas. The most recently affected province, Bas-Uélé, recorded its first confirmed case in the Buta health zone in early August — a patient with travel history to Haut-Uélé. Cross-border movement continues to pose a significant risk of further geographical spread.

International Impact: Cases Beyond the DRC

While the outbreak is concentrated in the DRC, there have been imported cases elsewhere:

• Uganda: 20 confirmed cases and 2 deaths were reported, but no new cases have been recorded since 21 June. Uganda discharged its last Ebola patient on 16 July and declared the outbreak over on 28 July 2026. However, the country remains at risk of re-introduction due to ongoing transmission across the border.
• France: One imported case — a humanitarian medical worker returning from the DRC — was reported on 24 June, with no secondary transmission. The patient was discharged on 4 July.
• Germany: Two patients diagnosed in the DRC, including a US citizen medically evacuated for treatment, have been treated in Germany.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses the likelihood of infection for people living in the European Union and European Economic Area as very low, but continues to monitor the situation closely.

Treatment and Prevention: What You Should Know

Unlike the Zaire Ebola virus — which has an approved vaccine and treatments — there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease. Outbreak control therefore relies on proven public health measures:

• Rapid case identification, isolation, and clinical care
• Contact tracing — 85.3% of identified contacts are currently under follow-up in affected provinces
• Safe and dignified burials to prevent transmission from deceased individuals
• Strong community engagement led by local authorities and trusted community leaders
• Infection prevention and control in all healthcare settings, not just dedicated Ebola treatment centres

The incubation period for BVD ranges from 2 to 21 days, and infected individuals are not infectious until symptoms appear. Early symptoms — fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat — are non-specific, which complicates diagnosis and can delay detection. Symptoms then progress to gastrointestinal illness, organ dysfunction, and in some cases, haemorrhagic manifestations.

Travel Health Advisory

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued heightened travel precautions for parts of the DRC, with different regions falling under elevated travel health notices. Travellers planning to visit affected areas should:

• Check current travel health notices before departure
• Avoid contact with blood and bodily fluids of infected people
• Avoid contact with bats, non-human primates, and raw bushmeat
• Wash hands frequently and practise good hygiene
• Seek medical care immediately if fever and symptoms develop within 21 days of returning

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ebola in the DRC a global emergency?

Yes. The WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 17 May 2026 — the highest level of alarm under international health regulations. The declaration was based on the rapid geographic spread, sustained transmission, and high mortality of the outbreak.

How many people have died in the current Ebola outbreak?

As of 15 August 2026, the DRC had reported 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths, a case fatality ratio of approximately 47%. Ituri province accounts for the majority of both cases and deaths.

Is there a vaccine for the Bundibugyo virus?

No approved vaccine currently exists for Bundibugyo virus disease. Existing Ebola vaccines target the Zaire species of the virus and are not licensed for Bundibugyo. Research into vaccines and treatments for BVD is ongoing.

How is Ebola transmitted between people?

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with contaminated surfaces and materials. It is not airborne. Healthcare settings and unsafe burial practices are common amplification points for transmission.

Should I be worried about Ebola if I live outside Africa?

For the general public in Europe, North America, and Asia, the risk is considered very low. Imported cases have been quickly isolated with no onward transmission. The primary concern remains within the DRC and neighbouring countries, where the outbreak continues to expand.

How long is the incubation period for Ebola?

The incubation period is 2 to 21 days. A person infected with the Bundibugyo virus is not infectious until symptoms appear, which is why contact tracing and symptom monitoring for 21 days are critical control measures.

This article is based on the latest situation reports from the World Health Organization (12 August 2026) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (16 August 2026). Figures are subject to continuous review and harmonisation as surveillance data is updated.