The Africa CDC warned that the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record in eastern DRC is spreading beyond its epicentre: cases have fallen in Ituri but risen sharply in North Kivu and Haut-Uele. Government data show 6,843 cases and 3,310 deaths to date, and WHO warns the epidemic could surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak. The response is hindered by insecurity, displacement and a health workers' strike; Congo has received 70,000 vaccine doses and trials for a Bundibugyo vaccine are underway.
Africa CDC: Ebola Outbreak in Eastern DRC Rapidly Spreading Beyond Epicentre
Health workers prepare to transfer the body of Abineno Justine, a 38-year-old woman who died of the Ebola virus, to a coffin ahead of her burial in Bunia, Congo, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Dieudonne Dirole)
Africa's top public health agency warned Thursday that the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is expanding rapidly beyond its original epicentre.
Current Situation
Government figures released Thursday report a total of 6,843 cases and 3,310 deaths. Ituri province remains the hardest hit with more than 5,400 cases, while North Kivu has recorded over 1,000 cases since the outbreak began in May. Health officials say recent weeks have seen declines in Ituri but sharp increases in North Kivu and Haut-Uele.
Where The Virus Is Spreading
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) officials said the epidemic is now moving into new health zones. In North Kivu, reported new infections more than doubled — rising to 381 in the latest three-week period from 165 in the prior period. The virus has reached two additional health zones there, complicating containment efforts.
Major Challenges
The response is being hampered by multiple severe obstacles: ongoing insecurity and clashes (including fighting involving the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel movement), mass displacement and intense population movements, and a strike by health workers. Displacement sites are particularly vulnerable because residents already live in precarious conditions.
World Health Organization: The outbreak remains out of control and is on track to surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic, which caused more than 11,000 deaths.
Vaccination And Trials
Congo has begun vaccinating health and front-line workers with the Ervebo vaccine, which proved effective in past outbreaks caused by the more common Zaire strain. So far, the country has received 70,000 vaccine doses. Clinical trials have also started to evaluate vaccines for the less common Bundibugyo strain in the eastern provinces of Tshopo, Haut-Uele and Bas-Uele.
Outlook
Officials caution that the epidemic’s trajectory will depend on whether response teams can reach newly affected areas, secure sufficient vaccine supplies, and restore services disrupted by insecurity and strikes. Africa CDC and WHO continue to call for urgent international support to bolster surveillance, vaccination, and humanitarian access.
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