Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Rebel-Held Eastern Congo Reports Six New Ebola Cases
Six people in rebel-controlled eastern Congo have been found to have Ebola.
The cases were discovered in two nearby health zones.
Health officials believe they came from one earlier case in the city of Butembo.
Four infected people had already died when testing found Ebola.
Two other patients are being treated.
Workers are trying to find people who may have been in contact with them.
The area had previously said it was free of Ebola.
The wider outbreak has caused more than 4,000 deaths.
Six new Ebola cases were recorded in areas of eastern Congo controlled by AFC/M23 rebels.
Two cases were detected in Kayna health zone and four in neighboring Alimbongo health zone.
Investigators linked all six cases to transmission from a case originating in government-held Butembo.
Four cases were identified through post-mortem testing, while two patients are receiving treatment.
The outbreak has caused more than 4,000 deaths among 8,300 confirmed cases, according to government data.
- Who
- Six people in areas controlled by the AFC/M23 rebels were identified as Ebola cases.
- What
- Six new Ebola cases were recorded, forming part of the same chain of transmission.
- When
- The six cases were announced on Friday; the previously known active case was discharged on Tuesday.
- Where
- The cases were found in Kayna and Alimbongo health zones near Lubero in North Kivu, eastern Congo.
- Why
- Investigators said transmission stemmed from a case originating in Butembo, which is held by government forces.
- New cases
- Six
- Affected health zones
- Kayna and Alimbongo
- Cases found after death
- Four, through post-mortem testing
- Patients receiving treatment
- Two
- Previous active case
- Discharged after 26 days at an Ebola treatment centre
- Wider outbreak toll
- More than 4,000 deaths among 8,300 confirmed cases
- Outbreak declaration
- May 15