KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – According to official data through Aug. 7, the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has resulted in the loss of 1,916 lives and confirmed 4,209 cases, which marks an increase of 29 deaths from the 1,887 figure reported previously. The health authorities have also recorded 595 patients currently receiving care in isolation, while 828 individuals have recovered from the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak.
Ituri continues to be the epicenter of the outbreak, with 3,636 confirmed infections and 1,551 fatalities. In North Kivu, there have been 470 cases and 315 deaths. Haut Uele has reported 91 cases and 44 deaths, Tshopo has nine cases with five fatalities, and South Kivu has three cases and one death. Overall, the epidemic has affected 53 of the 140 health zones spanning the five impacted provinces.
The most recent daily report added 89 new confirmed cases and 21 additional deaths to the national totals, with Ituri accounting for 73 of these new infections. North Kivu recorded 12 cases, while Haut Uele registered four. Officials have indicated that 83.4% of identified contacts are currently under follow-up across the affected regions. Efforts by health teams are ongoing to review and standardize the case and death figures as surveillance data continues to be updated.
Expansion of Bundibugyo Virus Outbreak into Eastern Regions
The Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed the presence of the outbreak in May following laboratory testing that identified the Bundibugyo virus, and the World Health Organization declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17. The virus can trigger symptoms such as fever, weakness, body pain, vomiting, and other severe health issues, with some patients experiencing bleeding. Since the initial detection in 1976, this marks the country’s 17th Ebola outbreak.
The Ministry of Health in Congo has coordinated response activities including surveillance, testing, isolation, contact tracing, and clinical treatment. These efforts are complemented by infection control protocols and safe burial practices aimed at minimizing transmission, especially in communities affected by insecurity and significant population movement in eastern Congo. Health teams are actively monitoring contacts and investigating suspected cases across the affected zones and along major travel routes.
No Approved Vaccine for Bundibugyo Virus Currently Exists
Unlike the Zaire strain of Ebola virus, Bundibugyo virus presently lacks an approved vaccine or specific treatment. Medical management relies on supportive care, including hydration, symptom relief, and close monitoring of patients. Research initiatives are underway to evaluate candidate vaccines and experimental therapies. Additionally, regional surveillance has documented infections outside of Congo, with Uganda reporting 20 confirmed cases and two deaths by late July. No new confirmed cases have been reported there after June 21.
These latest statistics indicate that the 2026 outbreak is the most extensive on record caused by Bundibugyo virus. The transmission continues to be mainly concentrated within DR Congo, particularly in Ituri and North Kivu. Despite expanded efforts in surveillance, isolation, and contact monitoring, the rising numbers of cases and fatalities persist. Authorities continue to maintain laboratory testing, case identification, patient treatment, and infection control measures while continuously updating the national figures as new surveillance data becomes available.