Ebola outbreak in DR Congo becomes largest in country's history
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing its largest Ebola outbreak in history, with over 10,000 confirmed cases and 5,000 deaths. The WHO reports that challenges in early detection and community-based deaths are hindering response efforts.
Why it matters
The scale of this outbreak poses a significant public health crisis in Central Africa with potential for regional spread.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing the largest Ebola outbreak in its history, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The country has recorded 10,668 confirmed cases and 5,198 deaths as of 3 November 2026.
The outbreak has spread across 67 health zones in eight provinces, with active transmission continuing in 51 health zones as of 3 November 2026.
The WHO disclosed this in its Disease Outbreak News report published on 6 November, adding that the country has also recorded 2,881 recoveries.
According to the report, 964 additional confirmed cases, including 511 deaths, had been reported since WHO’s previous outbreak update of 23 October.
Since the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, was declared on 15 May 2026, five countries have reported cases: DRC, France, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda.
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