KINSHASA, June 14, 2026 — The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen to 782, with 178 deaths, as the outbreak expanded to two more health zones, according to health authorities cited by Reuters and Xinhua. The latest reporting says the newly affected areas are Nia-Nia in Ituri and Mabalako in North Kivu, bringing the total to 31 health zones across three provinces.[1][4]
Verified case update
Government data published on Sunday showed 72 new cases were documented in a single day, one of the sharpest daily increases in the outbreak so far. Reuters and other outlets reported that confirmed infections are now spread across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, with affected health zones recorded in all three provinces.
The World Health Organization’s Africa office earlier described the outbreak as Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease and said it had already spread beyond the initial cluster in Ituri Province. The WHO said the outbreak had reached multiple health zones across three provinces in its May update.
Outbreak background
The current outbreak was first confirmed by Congo’s health ministry on May 15, 2026, when officials identified Bundibugyo virus infection in samples from suspected cases in Ituri Province, according to the CDC. The CDC said the first confirmed cases were linked to clusters of severe illness and deaths in Mongbwalu and Rwampara health zones.
The CDC’s June 11 situation summary listed 689 confirmed cases and 139 confirmed deaths, indicating the outbreak has continued to expand since then. The latest count reported by regional and international media is substantially higher, reflecting rapid transmission and ongoing case detection.
Public health response
WHO and CDC updates show health authorities have been tracking the outbreak closely, but the response remains challenged by spread across multiple zones and provinces. The CDC has noted that the outbreak is occurring in remote areas of eastern DRC and is caused by Bundibugyo virus, a strain of Ebola disease.
The reporting also indicates the outbreak has crossed into neighboring Uganda in earlier stages, underscoring regional public health concerns and the need for cross-border surveillance.
Regional significance
The spread to 31 health zones suggests containment has become more complex, particularly because transmission is no longer confined to a single locality. Health authorities will likely continue to prioritize contact tracing, case isolation and community engagement as they try to limit further spread.
The outbreak is significant because Ebola response efforts depend heavily on early detection and rapid isolation, and the widening geographic footprint raises operational pressure on local health systems.
Current status
As of the latest reports, Congo’s Ebola outbreak has reached 782 confirmed cases and 178 deaths, with the disease now present in 31 health zones across three eastern provinces. Authorities are continuing surveillance and response efforts as the outbreak expands.
Sources: Reuters, Xinhua, WHO Africa, CDC — June 14, 2026
Content Disclaimer: This report covers developing public health events and includes figures that may be updated as new official data becomes available. Readers should consult primary sources and multiple verified outlets for full context.
