The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported more than 6,000 confirmed Ebola cases and nearly 2,900 deaths as of September 1, 2026, as an ongoing outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain spreads across six provinces.
The outbreak is the largest in the country’s history, according to the research summary. Ituri province has been particularly affected, although the available information does not provide a provincial breakdown of cases or deaths.
The World Health Organization has initiated clinical trials for treatments and vaccines as part of the response. The trials include the Ervebo vaccine, which is being used among the measures aimed at combating the outbreak.
Containment efforts face several reported challenges, including insecurity, strikes by health workers and burial practices that can increase the difficulty of preventing transmission. The research material does not specify the locations or duration of the strikes, or provide further details on the security situation.
Authorities are enforcing regulated burials to prevent further transmission. Those measures have faced resistance from some communities, according to the research summary.
The available information describes the outbreak as ongoing and does not provide a forecast for when it may end. It also does not state how many people are currently receiving treatment, how the cases are distributed among the six provinces, or the number of health workers involved in the response.