Ebola outbreak reaches two new areas

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, August 29, 2026

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has spread to two additional health zones, increasing the total affected areas to 60 and resulting in 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths. Health officials have launched a vaccination campaign using the Ervebo vaccine for frontline workers amid challenges like insecurity and health worker strikes, but containment remains difficult as the outbreak spreads faster than response efforts.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has expanded to two new health zones in the eastern part of the country, bringing the total number of affected zones to 60, according to government data released on Friday. The newly impacted areas, Biena and Manguredjipa in North Kivu province, have experienced a higher fatality rate than the overall average of 48 percent, a situation partly attributed to delayed response efforts, the Ministry of Health said.

As of the latest update, the outbreak has resulted in 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths. Health officials report that the virus is spreading at a pace faster than efforts to trace and contain it. The outbreak continues to worsen amid challenges including insecurity, population displacement, a strike among health workers, and significant population movements, complicating containment efforts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has characterized the situation as out of control, indicating that the outbreak is likely to surpass the death toll of the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which claimed more than 11,000 lives primarily in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

In response to the escalating crisis, DRC launched a vaccination campaign on Thursday targeting health workers and other frontline personnel. Authorities are deploying the Ervebo vaccine, which has demonstrated effectiveness in previous outbreaks caused by a different Ebola strain. However, the current outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain, for which clinical trials are underway to identify an appropriate vaccine.

Health Minister Roger Kamba emphasized the decision to use the Ervebo vaccine as an immediate protective measure for frontline responders. The vaccination rollout began in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province, one of six provinces affected by the outbreak.

Efforts to contain the outbreak remain hindered by difficult security and logistical conditions, raising concerns about the potential for further spread within the affected regions and neighboring areas.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.