WORLD · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo Worsens
WHY IT MATTERS
The ongoing outbreak poses a significant risk of further regional spread and highlights the need for sustained surveillance, preparedness, and cross-border collaboration to prevent further exportation of the virus and ensure an effective public health response.
What happened
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has spread to 60 health zones across six provinces, with 5794 confirmed cases and 2786 deaths reported as of August 26. The crude case fatality ratio of 48. 1% underscores the severity of the disease.
The outbreak remains a public health emergency of international concern, with continued transmission and substantial outbreak expansion. The most affected province is Ituri, with 4802 confirmed cases, followed by North Kivu with 775 confirmed cases. The highest case fatality ratio of 68% has been reported from North Kivu province.
Vaccination of healthcare workers using the Ervebo vaccine has been initiated in some areas, but its effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus is unknown. A clinical trial of the vaccine is planned to provide important new evidence.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Disease Outbreak News: Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo (28 August 2026)
ReliefWeb / original provider · World Health Organization · ReliefWeb aggregation; original provider terms apply; link and attribution to the named source required