KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has resulted in 1,916 fatalities and confirmed 4,209 cases, official sources report through August 7. The death toll has increased by 29 compared to the previous update, which reported 1,887 deaths. Meanwhile, health officials have identified 595 patients in isolation. Additionally, 828 individuals have recovered from the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak.
Ituri remains the epicenter, with 3,636 confirmed infections and 1,551 deaths. North Kivu has documented 470 cases and 315 deaths. Haut Uele has reported 91 cases and 44 deaths, while Tshopo has nine cases and five deaths. South Kivu has seen three cases and one death. Overall, the outbreak has affected 53 out of 140 health zones within the five provinces impacted.
The most recent daily update added 89 confirmed cases and 21 deaths to the national figures. Ituri accounted for 73 of these new cases. North Kivu registered 12, and Haut Uele recorded four. Authorities noted that 83.4% of identified contacts are being followed up across the affected regions. Health teams continue reviewing and standardizing case and death data as surveillance records are refreshed.
Bundibugyo Virus Outbreak Spreads to Eastern Regions
The Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed the outbreak in May after lab testing identified Bundibugyo virus. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17. The virus causes symptoms like fever, weakness, body pain, vomiting, and other severe issues. Bleeding can also occur in some patients. This epidemic marks the country’s 17th Ebola outbreak since the virus was first identified in 1976.
The Congolese Ministry of Health has set up response efforts focused on surveillance, testing, isolation, contact tracing, and clinical management. Infection control and safe burial practices are also being implemented to limit transmission. The efforts target communities facing insecurity and high population movement in eastern Congo. Health teams continue to monitor contacts and investigate suspected cases across affected zones and major travel corridors.
No Approved Vaccine Exists for Bundibugyo Virus
Unlike the Zaire strain of Ebola, Bundibugyo virus currently lacks a licensed vaccine or approved treatment. Medical care mainly involves supportive measures such as hydration, symptom relief, and close clinical monitoring. Researchers are working on candidate vaccines and experimental treatments. Surveillance outside Congo has also recorded cases. By late July, Uganda reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, with no new cases after June 21.
These latest figures show that the 2026 outbreak is the largest ever caused by Bundibugyo virus. The highest concentration of transmission remains in DR Congo, especially in Ituri and North Kivu. Despite expanded surveillance, isolation, and contact tracking, case and death numbers continue to rise. Authorities keep testing, diagnosing, providing patient care, and preventing infections while updating the national count as new data emerges.