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DRC Ebola Outbreak Reaches 60 Health Zones, WHO Says

DRC Ebola Outbreak Reaches 60 Health Zones, WHO Says

By Akshay SatijaEditor in ChiefAugust 31, 2026Updated August 31, 20264 min readToday#Ebola#Ebola Outbreak#Congo Ebola#Democratic Republic of Congo#DRC

TwikUp Brief

Three things to know

  1. 01

    The Bundibugyo virus Ebola outbreak has expanded from 54 to 60 health zones across six provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

  2. 02

    The DRC had reported 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths as of August 26, according to WHO.

  3. 03

    WHO says the outbreak remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Ebola Cases and Deaths in the DRC

As of August 26, 2026, the DRC had reported 5,794 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,786 deaths, according to WHO.

The figures highlight the continuing severity of the outbreak and the challenges facing health authorities as they respond across multiple provinces.

WHO and its partners are supporting the public-health response as authorities work on surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care and community engagement.

Outbreak Has Expanded Geographically

The increase from 54 to 60 affected health zones shows that the outbreak has continued to expand geographically.

The reported spread across six provinces makes coordination between local health authorities and international response partners particularly important.

The six affected provinces are Bas-Uélé, Haut-Uélé, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tshopo.

WHO Continues to Monitor the Situation

The World Health Organization is continuing to monitor the outbreak and support affected areas.

Public-health teams are working to identify infections and strengthen measures aimed at reducing transmission.

The response requires continued surveillance as new cases are reported in additional health zones.

Ebola Remains an International Health Concern

WHO says the outbreak remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The designation followed the advice of an Emergency Committee meeting convened on August 18. WHO issued updated temporary recommendations to countries.

Cases Reported Beyond the DRC

WHO's latest update also reported confirmed cases in Uganda and France in addition to those in the DRC.

As of August 26, a total of 5,815 confirmed cases had been reported: 5,794 in the DRC, 20 in Uganda and one in France. The DRC total includes two cases diagnosed there and subsequently treated in Germany.

The combined figure included 2,788 deaths, including two in Uganda.

WHO said continued transmission in the DRC means there remains a risk of further cross-border exportation, making cross-border collaboration, surveillance and preparedness essential.

Why the Situation Matters

Ebola is a serious infectious disease that can cause severe illness and death.

Containing an outbreak requires rapid detection, isolation and treatment of patients, contact tracing and strong infection-prevention and control measures.

The expansion to additional health zones increases the demands on healthcare workers and emergency response teams operating in affected communities.

Health Authorities Face Continued Response Challenges

As the outbreak spreads across more health zones, maintaining access to healthcare and ensuring that suspected cases are identified quickly remain important priorities.

Health workers also need effective infection-control systems to reduce the risk of transmission within healthcare settings.

Community engagement is another important part of outbreak response because public understanding and cooperation can help health teams identify cases and contacts more effectively.

The Bigger Picture

The latest WHO figures indicate that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains a major public-health emergency.

With the number of affected health zones increasing to 60, authorities continue to face the challenge of controlling transmission while providing medical support to affected communities.

WHO, national health authorities and partners are continuing to coordinate the response.

TwikUp Insight

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached 60 health zones across six provinces, according to WHO.

As of August 26, the DRC had recorded 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths. WHO says the outbreak remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, highlighting the need for continued surveillance and coordinated international response.

Ebola Outbreak Expands in the DRC

The Bundibugyo virus Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded from 54 to 60 health zones across six provinces, according to the World Health Organization. As of August 26, the DRC had recorded 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths.

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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

How many health zones are affected by the Ebola outbreak in Congo?

The outbreak has expanded to 60 health zones across six provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to WHO.

How many confirmed Ebola cases have been reported in the DRC?

As of August 26, 2026, the DRC had reported 5,794 confirmed cases.

How many people have died from Ebola in the DRC?

WHO reported 2,786 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as of August 26.

Is the Ebola outbreak still considered a public-health emergency?

Yes. WHO says the outbreak remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Which Ebola virus is involved in this outbreak?

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus.