Ebola outbreak update: Cases and deaths; Dungu health zone, Haut-Uélé province now affected
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded to the Dungu health zone, with 73 new cases and 37 deaths reported on September 18, 2026. Health authorities are struggling with structural constraints and insecurity while attempting to scale up surveillance and screening.
Why it matters
The expansion of the virus into new zones and the high fatality rate highlight a critical public health crisis that threatens regional stability in Central Africa.
A total of 73 new confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) were reported on September 18, 2026, including 25 community deaths. Of these confirmed cases, 46 were from Ituri province, 18 from North Kivu, 6 from Haut-Uélé, and 3 from Tshopo.
A new health zone, Dungu, in Haut-Uélé province, was affected during the day. As this zone borders South Sudan, strengthening cross-border surveillance is necessary.
During the day on September 18, 2026, 12 deaths within Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs)—10 in Ituri and 2 in North Kivu—were unfortunately recorded, bringing the total number of deaths for the day to 37.
However, 41 patients were declared recovered (30 in Ituri, 6 in Haut-Uélé, 3 in North Kivu, and 2 in Tshopo) after testing negative for EVD twice.
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