Ebola Deaths in Democratic Republic of Congo Exceed 5,000

More than 5,000 people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak, the country’s health ministry said in early November 2026. The outbreak was declared in May. Total cases have exceeded 10,000. The figures make this the second-deadliest Ebola outbreak on record after the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic.

The ministry continues to update case and death counts daily. Transmission remains active in several provinces. Vaccination campaigns and contact tracing have been under way since the early weeks of the outbreak. International partners including the World Health Organization have supported the response with personnel, vaccines and logistics.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people or contaminated materials. The current strain has produced high fatality rates in untreated cases. Treatment centres have been established in affected areas. Survivors face long-term health issues including eye and joint problems in some instances.

The outbreak has strained local health systems already dealing with other diseases and conflict in parts of eastern Congo. Population movement complicates contact tracing. Health workers have reported attacks in some zones, forcing temporary suspensions of activities. Despite these obstacles the ministry has maintained reporting and vaccination efforts.

Previous Congolese outbreaks have been contained more quickly. The current one has persisted for six months and continues to generate new cases. The cumulative death toll of more than 5,000 places it behind only the West African outbreak that killed more than 11,000 people. No other recent outbreak has reached this scale.

Vaccine stockpiles and ring-vaccination strategies have been used. The Ervebo vaccine has been deployed in prior Congolese outbreaks with measurable effect on transmission. Coverage remains incomplete in hard-to-reach areas. Experimental treatments have also been administered under compassionate-use protocols.

The health ministry has not declared the outbreak over. Further increases in the death toll are expected while transmission continues. Neighbouring countries have increased surveillance at borders. No confirmed cases have been reported outside Congo in the latest updates.

Daily bulletins from the ministry remain the primary source for case numbers. International agencies cross-check the figures against field reports. The response will continue until two incubation periods pass without new cases in each affected zone.