17^th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Understanding and tracking the 17^th Ebola outbreak in the DRC, figure by figure.

Cases by health zone

Situation as of 26 Sep 2026

Confirmed cases 8,067

Deaths 3,901

Recovered 2,070

Patients in isolation 773

Case fatality rate 48.4%

Confirmed cases: 8,067
Deaths: 3,901

Hover a zone to see its toll.Tap a zone to see its toll.

Epidemic overview

bars: new cases per day · line: cumulative

Timeline

22 Feb 2026
The virus is already circulating, unseen

Reconstructed after the fact from sequenced genomes, the common ancestor of the sampled viruses dates back to late February, between mid-January and late March. The outbreak therefore ran for nearly three months before it was declared.
24 Apr 2026
First suspected cases

Cases of unexplained haemorrhagic fever are detected in Ituri province. Samples are sent for analysis.
14 May 2026
First situation report

The first INSP SitRep devoted to this outbreak is published: it records 8 confirmed cases and 4 deaths.
15 May 2026
Laboratory confirmation and outbreak declaration

Testing confirms Ebola virus, Bundibugyo species. The authorities officially declare the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
17 May 2026
Public health emergency of national concern

The DRC declares a public health emergency at national level and activates its response: treatment centres, contact tracing, border screening points.
18 May 2026
Public health emergency of continental security

The emergency is extended to continental level, opening the way to a regionally coordinated response.

The full timeline

Provinces

confirmed cases and deaths

Ituri 6,155 2,834 deaths Nord-Kivu 1,523 906 deaths Haut-Uélé 331 139 deaths Tshopo 43 16 deaths Bas-Uélé 10 4 deaths Sud-Kivu 3 1 death Sud-Ubangi 2 1 death