Ebola death toll in Democratic Republic of Congo exceeds 5,000

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has killed more than 5,000 people, according to government figures released around the end of October and early November 2026. The National Institute of Public Health and health ministry data put confirmed cases above 10,000, with a case-fatality ratio near or above 50 percent in the latest tallies.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species of the virus, was declared in mid-May 2026. It has become the largest and deadliest Ebola epidemic on record in the country and the second-largest globally after the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. Eight of Congo's provinces have reported cases, with the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu remaining the main epicentres.

No approved vaccine or specific treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain. Delayed detection, ongoing conflict in the east, and limited health infrastructure have complicated containment. Many deaths have occurred outside formal treatment centres. Cases have also been reported in neighbouring countries including Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria.

Africa CDC has called for stronger protection of frontline health workers after recent deaths among doctors. Contact tracing remains incomplete, with only a small fraction of new cases linked to known contacts. Response teams continue isolation, treatment of the sick, and community engagement efforts despite security challenges.

The high fatality rate and geographic spread have raised concerns about further international transmission. Health authorities continue to update daily figures as the outbreak remains active.