Congo authorities report more than 6,000 confirmed Ebola cases and
nearly 3,000 deaths
[September 01, 2026]
By CONSTANT SAME BAGALWA and SALEH MWANAMILONGO
BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Congo’s authorities said Monday that the
fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history has topped 6,000 cases with
2,911 deaths.
More than 1,360 people have recovered from the virus, in what
authorities said was an “encouraging” development.
The outbreak in eastern Congo is spreading under extremely difficult
conditions, fueled by insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike
and intense population movements. The situation is particularly
concerning at displacement sites, where residents already live in
extremely precarious conditions.
Last week, the virus spilled into two new health zones in the region.
The World Health Organization has said that it remains out of control
and is on track to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, the
deadliest on record, which killed more than 11,000 people, primarily in
Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
On Saturday, an Ebola response team was attacked on the outskirts of the
town of Mambasa in Ituri province while responding to a call to secure a
body. Young people armed with machetes stormed the site of the funeral,
forcing the team to flee and injuring one member, a representative told
The Associated Press.
“We demand greater security so we can operate in the field and do our
work without endangering our lives,” said Floribert Magene, a member of
the response team.
Bodies of those who died of Ebola can be highly contagious and lead to
further spread when people prepare them for burial and gather for
funerals.
In response to the outbreak, Congolese authorities have mandated that
the dangerous work of burying suspected victims be managed wherever
possible by authorities, which can be met by protests from families and
friends.
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A health worker pauses after disinfecting a treatment center for
Ebola patients, in Beni, North Kivu province, eastern Congo, Monday,
Aug. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Sebastien Kitsa Musayi)
 The outbreak is caused by the
Bundibugyo virus, a rare type of Ebola that has no approved vaccine
or treatment.
Last week, Congo began vaccinating health and other front-line
workers with the Ervebo vaccine that was effective in past Ebola
outbreaks caused by a different, more common type called Zaire.
Clinical trials are underway to find a licensed
vaccine for the Bundibugyo virus.
Although the current outbreak was declared in mid-May, officials
believe it had been spreading since February. It has spread from
three health zones to nearly 60, with most cases and deaths
occurring outside the network of monitored contacts and within
communities.
Efforts to bring the outbreak under control — from limited public
gatherings to social distancing and airport closures — have
disrupted life in the six provinces, particularly Ituri, which also
has been ravaged by rebel violence.
The government has introduced some measures, including installing
health and sanitary equipment at some locations, but advocacy groups
say more needs to be done to build trust with the community.
While neighboring Uganda declared itself free of Ebola last month,
the risk of further cross-border spread remains, WHO said last week.
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