Congo’s Ebola outbreak has now recorded more than 4,000 deaths, authorities said as they struggle to contain the spread of the virus.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its latest news conference that the number of confirmed cases is falling, but that could be attributed to insecurity and challenges in getting communities to cooperate in some of the hotspots. The latest figures were released by the health ministry on Thursday (October 1, 2026). They show that 4,018 people have died from among 8,300 confirmed cases, making up for nearly half of the confirmed cases in what has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history. Congo announced an outbreak on May 15, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no known treatment or vaccine.
Widespread mistrust of health workers and the authorities has hampered efforts to slow the Central African nation’s 17th Ebola outbreak.
A Congolese politician was attacked and beaten to death earlier this week for defending government measures in dealing with the outbreak, highlighting tensions that have stretched both the health community and local resources.
