The number of deaths from the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to over 5,000, while cumulative confirmed infections exceed 10,300, with no indication that authorities can halt the outbreak.
On 31 Oct 2026, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) announced that the death toll from Ebola infections has surpassed 5,000. The outbreak has spread to eight of the country's 26 provinces, with over 10,300 confirmed cases.
Health officials stated that this outbreak, which began in May, has become the deadliest in the country's history, currently showing a fatality rate of 48.6% among infected individuals.
The Ministry of Health's latest report indicated that the epicenter remains in Ituri Province in the northeast, an area affected by conflict between the government and local armed groups, making virus control increasingly difficult.
The United Nations (UN) noted this is the 17th Ebola outbreak in DR Congo's history and the second largest ever recorded.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa regional office stressed the need to "intensify outbreak control measures continuously, improve access to affected areas, and engage communities more fully" to end this outbreak.
WHO added that while testing and treatment efforts continue alongside clinical trials for vaccines, the currently circulating Bundibugyo Ebola strain has no specific treatment or vaccine yet.
The UN further stated that the previous deadliest outbreak in DR Congo recorded 2,299 deaths between 2018 and 2020. The deadliest outbreak overall occurred in West Africa from 2014 to 2016, causing over 11,325 deaths and spreading to countries including Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
However, the UN warned that this latest outbreak is "killing people at a much faster rate."
Besides DR Congo, Ebola cases have been reported in Uganda, Nigeria, and Kenya. Uganda recorded two deaths and 20 infections but has reported no new cases since August.
In Kenya, there are nine confirmed cases and two deaths. Nigeria's disease control center reported on Saturday two new suspected Ebola cases after the first case earlier in October involved a woman who traveled from Uganda, though it remains unclear where she contracted the virus.
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Source:bbc