Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

On 30 September 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported a total of 8 224 confirmed cases, including 3 982 related deaths (from data up until 29 September). A total of 851 patients are hospitalised in isolation. This represents an increase of 53 new confirmed cases and 28 deaths since the previous report on 29 September (reporting data up until 28 September). The 53 new cases have been reported from Ituri (32 cases), North Kivu (17 cases), and Haut-Uélé (four cases). Among the individuals who tested positive for Bundibugyo virus, 2 121 have recovered. In total, 78.7 % of identified case contacts are under follow-up in the affected provinces.

Ituri province remains the most affected, with 6 250 cases, including 2 885 deaths, reported from 28 of 36 health zones. In North Kivu, 1 570 cases, including 931 deaths, have been reported from 16 of 34 health zones. In South Kivu, three cases, including one death, have been reported from one of 34 health zones. In Haut-Uélé, 344 cases, including 144 deaths, have been reported from seven of 13 health zones. In Tshopo, 45 cases, including 16 deaths, have been reported from seven of 23 health zones. In Bas-Uélé, 10 cases, including four deaths, have been reported from three of 11 health zones. In Sud Ubangi, two cases and one death have been reported from one of 16 health zones. Overall, 63 of 167 health zones are currently affected across the seven provinces.

Data reported by DRC on confirmed cases and deaths are under continuous review and harmonisation.

In Uganda, a total of 20 cases were reported between May and June 2026 by the Ministry of Health. On 25 August, WHO declared the end of the outbreak following 42 days without a new confirmed case being reported.

Monitoring medically evacuated and imported cases to/in Europe

A healthcare worker based in DRC who tested positive for Bundibugyo virus on 29 September was medically evacuated to the Netherlands to receive specialised care. The patient was admitted to the high-level isolation unit at Leiden University Medical Center on 1 October.

In May 2026, there was an imported case in a US citizen who was medically evacuated to Germany for treatment, and on 24 June 2026 a further imported case was reported in France by the Ministry of Health. Both cases were imported from areas affected by the ongoing outbreak in DRC. On 10 July 2026, the US CDC reported that a US citizen working for a humanitarian organisation in DRC had tested positive for Bundibugyo virus. The patient was medically evacuated to Germany on 13 July 2026. On 21 July, the United Kingdom Ministry of Health reported that a UK resident who had been treating patients with Ebola in the DRC was evacuated and had been isolated in a London hospital.

According to ECDC modelling calculations, the risk of importation into the EU/EEA from the outbreak area remains very low. While sporadic importations cannot be excluded, the probability of multiple independent importations is very low, even in a pessimistic scenario whereby incidence continues to rise in the affected regions. These results are consistent with ECDC’s June. 

ECDC’s modelling focuses on the general population of the Ituri and North Kivu provinces in DRC and does not take into account healthcare workers and other professionals returning from the affected region. Although these groups have a substantially greater risk of exposure, they are subject to infection control measures and monitoring protocols. As a result, the probability of infection and of travel may differ considerably from that of the general population. 

The risk of importation depends on outbreak size, travel behaviour, and travel volume. Due to limited information, assumptions are made on all three factors based on the best available information. 

A weekly update on this outbreak is available in the Communicable disease threats report.

The next epidemiological update will be published on 5 October 2026.

Areas in DRC affected by the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak