DR CONGO EBOLA OUTBREAK SPREADS TO EIGHTH PROVINCE AS DEATH TOLL EXCEEDS 4,500

DR Congo has confirmed two Ebola cases, including one death, in North Ubangi province, bringing the outbreak to eight affected provinces. The epidemic has recorded 9,415 confirmed cases and 4,536 deaths, according to figures up to October 16. Infections have also been reported in Uganda and Kenya, raising concerns about cross border transmission. Previous Ebola outbreaks in DR Congo, particularly the 2018 to 2020 epidemic, highlight the challenges of controlling the disease amid insecurity, limited healthcare resources and difficulties tracing contacts. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has confirmed two Ebola cases, including one death, in North Ubangi province, marking a further expansion of an outbreak that has overwhelmed health authorities and become the deadliest Ebola epidemic in the country’s history.
The National Institute for Biomedical Research confirmed the infections after reports of suspected deaths in the province raised concerns about possible transmission. North Ubangi shares a border with the Central African Republic, making the development particularly worrying because infections in border communities can create additional challenges for disease surveillance and cross border public health coordination.
The two confirmed cases make North Ubangi the eighth province affected by the outbreak. The development comes as health authorities continue to battle widespread transmission, rising fatalities and difficulties identifying infected people quickly enough to prevent further spread.
According to the latest situation figures provided in the report, DR Congo recorded 67 new confirmed cases and 26 additional deaths in the 24 hours leading up to October 16. This brought the cumulative total to 9,415 confirmed cases and 4,536 deaths since the outbreak began.

HOW THE OUTBREAK HAS SPREAD

The outbreak is now affecting North Kivu, Ituri, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, South Kivu, Bas-Uele, South Ubangi and North Ubangi.
Ituri remains the main centre of transmission, accounting for 44 of the 67 new cases recorded during the 24 hour reporting period. North Kivu has also experienced a rise in infections, adding to concerns that the outbreak is spreading across communities with different levels of access to medical care.
The arrival of cases in North Ubangi suggests that health authorities must widen their surveillance and response activities beyond the areas where infections have been concentrated. Officials need to investigate suspected cases, identify people who have been in contact with infected individuals and monitor them for symptoms.
Reports before the official confirmation described suspected deaths in a mining area around Wapinda health zone, close to the border with Bas-Uele. Samples were reportedly sent for laboratory analysis, highlighting the importance of quickly investigating unusual deaths in areas where Ebola transmission may be occurring.
The spread into a new province also places additional pressure on medical teams, laboratory services and local health facilities that may have limited resources for responding to a serious infectious disease outbreak.

THE OUTBREAK HAS CROSSED INTERNATIONAL BORDERS

The epidemic is no longer confined to DR Congo. Cases have also been reported in neighbouring countries, including Uganda and Kenya.
Kenya confirmed infections in October after a patient who had travelled from DR Congo through Uganda tested positive for the virus and later died. A second infection was subsequently reported in a close family member of the first patient, raising concerns about transmission beyond the original outbreak area.
Uganda also experienced cases linked to the wider outbreak, although the country announced in August that it had brought its outbreak to an end. The appearance of infections in different countries demonstrates why regional cooperation is essential, even when one country believes it has stopped local transmission.
North Ubangi’s location near the Central African Republic adds another area where authorities may need to strengthen communication, surveillance and preparedness. However, the confirmation of cases in North Ubangi does not by itself mean the virus has crossed into the Central African Republic.
Cross border movement for trade, work, family visits and other activities can complicate efforts to identify infections. People may travel before they recognise symptoms or before they know they have been exposed. Health authorities therefore need to share information promptly and coordinate their responses without unnecessarily disrupting access to essential services.

PREVIOUS EBOLA OUTBREAKS SHOW HOW QUICKLY THE SITUATION CAN CHANGE

DR Congo has experienced repeated Ebola outbreaks since the disease was first identified in the country in 1976. The current epidemic is not the country’s first encounter with the virus, but its scale and speed of spread have made it particularly serious.
One major previous incident occurred between 2018 and 2020 in eastern DR Congo. That outbreak caused more than 3,400 cases and over 2,200 deaths, making it the second largest Ebola outbreak recorded at the time. It affected communities already facing insecurity and displacement, while violence and difficulties reaching patients complicated the response.
The 2018 to 2020 outbreak also spread into neighbouring Uganda, where cases were detected among people who had travelled from DR Congo. It demonstrated how movement across borders can create additional risks and why countries must prepare to identify and isolate infections quickly.
Another significant incident occurred in 2025, when DR Congo declared an Ebola outbreak in the Bulape health zone in Kasai province. That outbreak was declared over in December 2025 after 53 confirmed cases, 11 probable cases and 45 deaths were reported.
These previous incidents show that Ebola outbreaks can emerge in different parts of the country and require rapid investigation, laboratory confirmation, safe patient care and close monitoring of contacts. They also demonstrate that declaring an outbreak over in one location does not remove the risk of future outbreaks elsewhere.
The current epidemic is especially concerning because it has spread rapidly across several provinces and has recorded thousands of cases and deaths in a relatively short period.

THE BUNDIBUGYO VIRUS PRESENTS A PARTICULAR CHALLENGE

The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola virus first identified during an outbreak in Uganda in 2007. It is different from the Zaire ebolavirus responsible for several other major Ebola epidemics.
A major difficulty is that there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease. Medical teams can provide supportive care, including fluids, treatment of symptoms and management of complications, but preventing infections remains essential.
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, or with contaminated materials. The virus can also spread through contact with the body of someone who has died from the disease.
Symptoms can include fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, followed in some cases by vomiting, diarrhoea and other serious complications. These early symptoms can resemble other illnesses, which makes laboratory testing and careful medical assessment important.
Anyone who may have been exposed and develops symptoms should seek medical attention promptly and inform healthcare workers about the possible exposure. People should avoid direct contact with suspected cases and bodies of people who may have died from Ebola.

WHY HEALTH WORKERS ARE STRUGGLING TO CONTAIN THE EPIDEMIC

The expansion of the outbreak has been linked to several difficulties, including population movement, insecurity, limited healthcare infrastructure and mistrust in some communities.
In areas affected by armed conflict, health workers may struggle to reach villages, investigate suspected infections or transport patients safely. Some communities may also avoid treatment centres because of fear, misinformation or concerns about how patients are handled.
Another problem is that infections may go undetected when people become ill or die outside medical facilities. If their contacts are not identified and monitored, the virus can continue spreading before authorities recognise the chain of transmission.
Health workers face the challenge of protecting themselves while caring for patients, investigating cases and carrying out safe infection prevention procedures. They also need adequate protective equipment, laboratory supplies, trained personnel and reliable transport to respond effectively.
Public trust is equally important. Authorities need to explain the disease in clear language, listen to community concerns and work with local leaders so that people understand the importance of reporting symptoms and cooperating with health teams.

WHAT THE RISING CASES MEAN FOR COMMUNITIES

The outbreak has consequences beyond the number of confirmed infections and deaths. Families may lose relatives, healthcare workers face increased pressure, and communities may experience disruptions to education, trade, transport and other daily activities.
As more provinces report cases, health authorities must divide their resources between established hotspots and newly affected areas. This can make it harder to provide consistent care and conduct contact tracing everywhere at the same time.
The international spread also means neighbouring countries need to remain prepared to investigate suspected infections and respond quickly if cases are identified. At the same time, the risk of Ebola should not be used to stigmatise people from affected communities or countries.
Accurate public information, early reporting and access to healthcare are essential to limiting transmission. People should rely on guidance from public health authorities rather than rumours, while avoiding direct contact with the bodily fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.

CONTAINMENT EFFORTS FACE A CRITICAL TEST

The confirmation of infections in North Ubangi has increased the urgency of efforts to contain the outbreak. Authorities must investigate the new cases, identify and monitor contacts, strengthen laboratory testing and ensure that suspected patients can receive safe medical assessment.
Surveillance is particularly important in areas near provincial and international borders, where movement between communities may complicate the tracking of infections. Cooperation between DR Congo, neighbouring countries and international health organisations will be vital to detecting and responding to further cases.
The latest figures underline the scale of the challenge: thousands of confirmed infections and deaths have already been recorded, and new cases continue to emerge in several provinces.
Previous Ebola outbreaks show that transmission can be brought under control when cases are identified quickly, contacts are followed up and communities cooperate with health workers. Whether those measures can be strengthened quickly enough to stop the current epidemic from spreading further remains a major concern.