The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a severe Ebola outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, reaching 1,274 confirmed cases and 360 deaths across 35 health zones. Lacking a licensed vaccine, the response faces challenges like community resistance and insecurity. The virus has infected 96 healthcare workers and spread to Uganda and new provinces, prompting calls for an integrated One Health response.
DRC Ebola case numbers
- ▪In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 178 patients have recovered, 502 patients are in isolation or hospitalized, and 239 suspected cases, including 70 deaths, have been identified as of late June 2026
- ▪Prior to 2026, the Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain had caused only two recognized outbreaks since its identification in Uganda in 2007, totaling 193 confirmed cases combined
- ▪The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain, which was officially declared on May 15, 2026
- ▪The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 1,274 confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease, including 360 deaths, with an overall case fatality rate of 28.3 percent
Healthcare worker infections
- ▪Exposure in health facilities has been identified as a key factor contributing to the spread of Ebola among healthcare workers
- ▪A total of 96 healthcare workers have been infected with Ebola, including 92 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and four in Uganda
Geographic spread patterns
- ▪Uganda has recorded 20 confirmed Ebola cases, including 15 imported cases, four healthcare worker infections, and two fatalities, all classified under Kampala
- ▪Two confirmed male cases recorded between June 9, 2026, and June 23, 2026, in Tshopo Province suggest the Ebola outbreak has spread to a previously unaffected province
- ▪Confirmed Ebola cases have spread to 35 health zones across the Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Outbreak transmission drivers
- ▪The Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain currently has no licensed vaccine or specific treatment, making early detection, isolation, supportive care, and contact tracing critical
- ▪Drivers of emerging infectious diseases like Ebola include deforestation, urban expansion, mining, conflict-driven migration, the bushmeat trade, climate change, and weak public health systems
- ▪Response challenges in the Democratic Republic of the Congo include community resistance to post-mortem sampling, insufficient treatment center capacity, non-optimal contact tracing, and insecurity
One Health response approach
- ▪Oyewale Tomori commended the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation for collaborating on a One Health response approach
- ▪The One Health approach is an integrated strategy recognizing the close links between human, animal, and environmental health, with about 70 percent of emerging infectious diseases being zoonotic
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