Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

On 17 September 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported a total of 7 475 confirmed cases, including 3 605 related deaths (from data up until 16 September). A total of 905 patients are hospitalised in isolation. This represents an increase of 71 new confirmed cases and 32 deaths since the previous report on 16 September (reporting data up until 15 September). The 71 new cases have been reported from Ituri (41 cases), North Kivu (27 cases), Haut-Uélé (two cases), and Tshopo (one case). Among the individuals who tested positive for Bundibugyo virus, 1 798 have recovered. In total, 87.6% of identified case contacts are under follow-up in the affected provinces. 

Ituri province remains the most affected, with 5 792 cases, including 2 642 deaths, reported from 28 of 36 health zones. In North Kivu, 1 350 cases, including 828 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, 292 cases, including 118 deaths, have been reported from six of 13 health zones. In Tshopo, 30 cases, including 11 deaths, have been reported from seven of 23 health zones. In Bas-Uélé, seven cases, including four deaths, have been reported from three of 11 health zones. In Sud Ubangi, one case and one death have been reported from one of 16 health zones. Overall, 62 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.

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. All three have since recovered.

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 21 September 2026.