Democratic Republic of the Congo confirms new Ebola outbreak, WHO scales up support

Kinshasa/Brazzaville —The World Health Organization (WHO) is rapidly scaling up support to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo following confirmation of an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo in the country's north-eastern Ituri Province.  

Laboratory analysis conducted by the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), the country's reference laboratory in the capital Kinshasa, confirmed the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo species in 13 of 20 samples collected from suspected cases linked to a cluster of severe illness and deaths reported in Mongbwalu and Rwampara health zones in Ituri Province. The Bundibugyo species was first identified in 2007 in Bundibugyo district in western Uganda, during which 131 cases were reported with 42 deaths (case fatality rate of 32%).  

In the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a total of 67 community deaths suspected to be due to Ebola Bundibugyo have been reported so far. Patients presented with symptoms including fever, generalized body pain, weakness, vomiting and, in some cases, bleeding. Several cases deteriorated rapidly and died. Given the uncertainties and severity of the illness, there is concern about the scale of transmission in affected communities.  

A WHO mission including the WHO representative, the emergency preparedness and response team had already been deployed in Ituri to support the provincial authorities with investigations that led to the confirmation of the outbreak in the two health zones. The team is also working with the national and provincial health authorities to strengthen outbreak control measures and prevent further spread of the virus. National authorities have activated emergency coordination mechanisms and deployed additional multidisciplinary rapid response teams to affected areas.  

Additional WHO experts in epidemiology, infection prevention and control, laboratory diagnostics, clinical care, logistics, risk communication and community engagement are being mobilized to reinforce the frontline response. Priority actions include strengthening disease surveillance, active case finding, contact tracing, infection prevention and control in health facilities, expanding access to safe care, laboratory testing capacity, ensuring safe burials and community awareness to prevent further spread of the disease.    

“The Democratic Republic of the Congo has extensive experience responding to Ebola outbreaks, and WHO is rapidly scaling up support to the ongoing response,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Working closely with national authorities and partners, we are mobilizing swiftly, deploying additional expertise and resources to halt the spread of the virus, protect and save lives.”  

WHO is airlifting 5 metric tons of supplies, including infection prevention and control, materials, laboratory sample transportation equipment, case management, tents and other supplies currently available in Kinshasa to Bunia to support frontline health workers and treatment facilities.    

The outbreak is affecting areas that present significant operational challenges, including urban areas with intense population movements associated with mining activities, insecurity, and frequent cross-border movement—all of which increase the risk of further transmission.  

In neighboring Uganda, the Ministry of Health confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo in a patient from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who was being treated at a health facility but later died. Ugandan health authorities have activated outbreak control measures, including disease surveillance, screening and response readiness.  

This marks the 17th recorded outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the virus was first identified in 1976 in Yambuku, in Equateur Province. The last one was an outbreak of Ebola virus disease that ended in December 2025.  

Ebola disease is a severe and often fatal illness transmitted through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, as well as contaminated surfaces and materials. Early detection, supportive treatment and rapid public health measures significantly improve survival and are critical to stopping transmission.