8,067 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,901 deaths had been recorded in Congo by Sept. 26, spanning 63 health zones in seven provinces with a fatality rate above 48%.
The Bundibugyo-virus outbreak, declared on May 15, has no known treatment or vaccine, while delayed detection and limited access to early care are driving a high share of deaths in communities, the WHO said.
Health-worker shortages have deepened after payment delays triggered strikes, and Africa CDC says 50 health workers have died since the outbreak began.
Ituri and Haut-Uele have seen case declines, but officials say the disease is still spreading into new areas as insecurity, displacement and heavy population movement hamper containment.
By Week 19, the outbreak had reached 7,840 cases versus 3,781 in West Africa's 2014-2016 epidemic at the same stage, putting it on track to surpass that outbreak's spread.
With unpaid doctors striking and cases topping 8,000, is Congo's collapsing healthcare system a bigger threat than the virus itself?
Can a vaccine designed for a different Ebola strain stop Congo's fastest-growing outbreak before it goes global?
Over 6,200 Cases and 3,000 Deaths: The 2026 Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak’s Impact on DRC’s Health System and Regional Security
Overview
The 2026 Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC has spiraled due to a 'triple crisis' of violent conflict, mass displacement, and poor health infrastructure, allowing the virus to spread rapidly across five provinces. With no approved vaccines or targeted treatments, care is limited to supportive therapy, and a shortage of diagnostic kits causes severe delays in isolating patients and tracing contacts. Crowded IDP settlements with poor sanitation further accelerate transmission. Deep mistrust, stigma, and traditional burial practices lead many to avoid treatment centers, fueling hidden transmission and community resistance. As resources are diverted to Ebola, preventable deaths from other diseases spike, pushing the fragile health system toward collapse.