DR Congo Ebola outbreak reaches 8,067 confirmed cases in dated update

Key points: DR Congo reported 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 related deaths in data through 26 September. The outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus and affects seven provinces. The figures are under continuous review, and dates must accompany any comparison.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 8,067 confirmed cases of Ebola disease and 3,901 related deaths, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's update of 28 September. The total, reported by DR Congo on 27 September, uses data through 26 September. The Associated Press also reported the national count and pressure on the health response. This is a dated snapshot, not a live case counter.

Where the outbreak is concentrated

ECDC reported that 63 health zones in seven provinces were affected. Ituri accounted for 6,155 cases and 2,834 related deaths, and North Kivu for 1,523 cases and 906 deaths. The agency said 773 patients were hospitalised in isolation and 74.7% of identified case contacts were under follow-up. Those measures show both the scale of response and the difficulty of reaching everyone potentially exposed.

The virus involved is Bundibugyo virus. ECDC says the national confirmed-case and death totals are subject to continuous review and harmonisation. A later correction or increase should therefore be compared with the underlying reporting date and definition. The figures do not include all suspected illnesses as confirmed infections.

Public health response and uncertainty

The World Health Organization's emergency committee addresses the international public health concern. An emergency designation is not a declaration that a pandemic has occurred. Response priorities include finding contacts, protecting health workers, safe care and maintaining access to services in affected communities. ECDC separately notes that Uganda's outbreak ended on 25 August after 42 days without a new confirmed case; it should not be described as part of a still-active Ugandan outbreak.

Analysis — what to watch: Subsequent dated case reports, contact follow-up and any spread to additional health zones will indicate whether control measures are gaining ground. The featured photograph shows scientists in protective equipment during an unrelated 1995 outbreak in Zaire; it is archival and does not depict the current DR Congo response. Research cutoff: 29 September 2026, 01:00 IST.