Africa CDC warns Ebola in DR Congo could become continental outbreak, 11,254 cases recorded

Six months after the declaration

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) first detected cases of the new epidemic in Ituri province on 14 May 2026. Africa CDC declared the outbreak the following day, and the World Health Organization classed it as a public health emergency of international concern two days after the first detection. Six months on, the DRC's National Institute of Public Health reports 11,254 cases, 5,505 deaths and a fatality rate of 48.9%, based on data from Friday, 13 November. Another 1,538 patients were in isolation and 3,054 people had recovered. RTVE, citing Ministry of Health data, puts the death toll above 5,400.

Cases11,254

Deaths5,505

In isolation1,538

Recovered3,054

Cases

11254 people

Deaths

5505 people

In isolation

1538 people

Recovered

3054 people

Data from the article text

Deaths outside clinics and insecurity

Africa CDC data show that 80% of new cases are found outside surveillance systems and about 65% of patients die at home or in their communities. The WHO reports 400 to 500 new infections each week across 67 health zones in eight provinces, and says contact tracing remains below target. Insecurity is hampering the response, with more than 80 attacks on health facilities since the outbreak began. On 6 November an armed attack at Cantine-Aloya, in North Kivu province, killed 66 civilians, including three health workers. Children make up more than a quarter of confirmed cases and a third of deaths.

Warnings, funding and vaccines

Speaking to Reuters on Sunday, Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, said the outbreak was still serious and not under control.

“If we don't stop this outbreak now, it would be the worst Ebola outbreak that the world will have.”

He cited a humanitarian crisis, insecurity, population movement and mining activity in Ituri as conditions that could spread the virus across the continent. Only $1.3bn of the $2.9bn pledged by donors has been released, and Kaseya called coordination between the DRC and its donors a collective failure. At least 74 health workers have died and 445 have been infected since the epidemic was declared. No vaccine or treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain, which kills about half the people it infects. The WHO approved clinical trials of two new Ebola vaccines earlier this month and expects results in early 2027.

Neighbouring countries

Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases and two deaths, and has begun a 42-day period without new infections before it can be declared free of Ebola. Nigeria confirmed infections on its territory but has stopped their spread, according to Africa CDC. The WHO ended the epidemic in Uganda on 26 August. South Sudan and the Central African Republic face a high risk because of weak health systems, and South Sudan is preparing with the WHO to receive patients.

Field picture

Belgian infectiologist Laurens Liesenborghs, who returned from North Kivu and Ituri in early November, expects the outbreak to take months to bring under control. He says the epidemic spreads like an oil slick and flares up in other provinces like a forest fire. MSF takes a bleaker view than UN health officials, who point to encouraging signs such as falling numbers in older hotspots. In Mongbwalu, the epicentre in Ituri, MSF says the virus is under control and the last patients were discharged in late October, but the disease has moved south into rural North Kivu. MSF estimates that 35 to 45 people are now dying each day, and it has 2,900 staff working in the DRC.