Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Ebola outbreak spreads to sixth Congo province amid rising deaths
Ebola is a very serious sickness that can make people very ill.
Right now, an Ebola outbreak is happening in a country in Africa called the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The sickness is caused by a tiny germ called the Bundibugyo virus.
It has now reached six different parts of the country.
The government says 4,449 people have gotten sick and 2,061 people have died so far.
Doctors think fruit bats are where the virus comes from, and people can catch it from touching sick animals or the body fluids of sick people.
A fever, sore throat, and feeling very tired are some early signs, but they look like other sicknesses too.
Health experts are worried that if the spread is not stopped, many more people could get sick.
They say it could become the biggest Ebola outbreak in the world.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has spread to a sixth province.
Congo's government recorded 4,449 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,061 deaths as of August 10.
Africa CDC director-general Jean Kaseya warned the outbreak could last more than a year and become the largest in the world if not stopped.
A person died of Ebola in Bas-Uélé province after travelling there from neighbouring Haut-Uélé province, where Isiro is located.
Congo officially declared the Bundibugyo strain outbreak in May, though it is believed to have begun as early as February.
- Who
- People in the Democratic Republic of Congo and health authorities led by Africa CDC director-general Jean Kaseya.
- What
- An Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus spread to a sixth Congolese province, with 4,449 confirmed cases and 2,061 deaths recorded.
- When
- Data reported as of August 10; the outbreak was officially declared in May and is believed to have begun as early as February.
- Where
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, including Bas-Uélé and Haut-Uélé provinces, where the city of Isiro is located.
- Why
- The Bundibugyo virus spreads through close contact with bodily fluids of infected people or wildlife, and officials warn uncontrolled spread could become the largest outbreak in the world.
- Disease
- Ebola (Bundibugyo virus disease, caused by Bundibugyo virus/BDBV)
- Confirmed cases
- 4,449 (as of August 10)
- Deaths
- 2,061 (as of August 10)
- Provinces affected
- 6
- Outbreak timeline
- Officially declared in May; believed to have begun as early as February
- Incubation period
- Typically 2 to 21 days
- Natural reservoir
- Fruit bats believed to be the virus's natural reservoir (per WHO)
- Previous outbreak case fatality rates
- 30% (Uganda, 2007) and 50% (DRC, 2012)