Ebola outbreak in Congo kills 438, reaches Kisangani 600 km from epicentre; WHO starts clinical trial

Declared in May, driven by Bundibugyo strain

The 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo was officially declared on 15 May 2026, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, no vaccine or approved treatment exists for Bundibugyo. As of 2 July, the outbreak had resulted in 438 deaths and 1,406 confirmed cases, a case fatality rate of 31.2%, according to the national public health institute (INSP). The epidemic remains concentrated in Ituri province, which accounts for 91.2% of cases and 83.6% of deaths, though North Kivu and South Kivu have also reported infections.

Spread to Kisangani and beyond

A new case detected in Kisangani, a city of 1.5 million residents in Tshopo province nearly 600 km from the epicentre, has raised alarm. Health authorities say the corpse of a 24-year-old pregnant woman was transported clandestinely from the Nia Nia health zone in Ituri to Kisangani on a motorcycle, later testing positive. An additional death and transmission were reported in Haut-Uélé province, but Congolese officials consider these imported cases, maintaining that only three provinces are affected. Uganda has recorded 20 cases and two deaths, with no new cases since 21 June, though a case of the related Marburg virus was detected there on 30 June. South Kivu has seen no confirmed cases since 26 May.

The body of the deceased was transported clandestinely on a motorcycle to Kisangani.

WHO clinical trial launched

The World Health Organization triggered an international alert and on 2 July announced the start of a clinical trial for two experimental therapies: a monoclonal antibody and an antiviral drug, tested both separately and in combination. The trial is coordinated by the DRC's National Institute of Biomedical Research with WHO support.

The clinical trial on two treatments has begun with the recruitment of the first patient.

Cross-border political response

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, speaking after a visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Africa CDC head Jean Kaseya to Kinshasa, stressed the need for regional cooperation. Ramaphosa said $1.5 billion had been mobilized by partners.

Cross-border health cooperation is not an option, it is a strategic necessity.

When a brother country needs help, we answer that call.

On the ground: declining deaths but deep challenges

The government spokesman said daily deaths in the Mongbwalu health zone, the epicentre, have fallen from 10–15 per day early in the outbreak to 2–5 per day two weeks ago, thanks to heightened surveillance. Contact tracing now exceeds 80%, with a goal of 95%. However, health workers face armed conflict in eastern DRC and widespread distrust: an Ebola treatment centre was burned down in Nia Nia on 1 July, and at least one infected person has fled the health zone.