Ebola outbreak in DR Congo becomes largest in country’s history – WHO

Calling this the DRC’s largest Ebola outbreak means it has surpassed every previous outbreak recorded in the country, regardless of which Ebola virus caused it. The scale is measured through confirmed cases, deaths, geographic spread and continuing transmission. WHO described the outbreak as the largest Ebola disease outbreak ever recorded in the DRC.

By 3 November 2026, the country had 10,668 confirmed cases, 5,198 deaths and 2,881 recoveries. The outbreak had spread across 67 health zones in eight provinces. Active transmission continued in 51 health zones, showing that the outbreak was still expanding or persisting rather than being contained.

The crisis remains concentrated in Ituri and North Kivu. Together, these provinces account for most cases and deaths. The size of the outbreak puts pressure on early detection, treatment access, contact tracing and infection prevention. It also makes community cooperation especially important for reducing further transmission.

Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe illness caused by Bundibugyo virus, one of the viruses in the Orthoebolavirus genus. It is therefore a form of Ebola disease, but it is caused by a specific virus species. The disease is zoonotic, meaning it can pass from animals to humans.

The article identifies fruit bats as suspected natural reservoirs. Initial infections are thought to happen when people contact blood or secretions from infected wildlife, including bats and non-human primates. After that, the virus can spread between people through blood, secretions, organs and other bodily fluids. Contaminated surfaces and materials can also transmit it.

Symptoms may begin two to 21 days after infection. Early signs include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. They can progress to vomiting, diarrhoea, organ dysfunction and sometimes bleeding. Early symptoms may resemble malaria, so laboratory testing is needed. No vaccine or specific treatment is currently approved for this disease.

As of 3 November 2026, the DRC had recorded 10,668 confirmed Ebola cases and 5,198 deaths. It had also recorded 2,881 recoveries. These figures show both the exceptional scale of the outbreak and its severe impact. WHO reported that 964 additional confirmed cases and 511 deaths had been recorded since its previous update on 23 October.

Ituri is the most affected province, with 7,485 cases and 3,532 deaths. North Kivu follows with 2,593 cases and 1,422 deaths. Together, they account for most confirmed infections and deaths. WHO also recorded 1,463 new confirmed cases across the DRC during the 21 days before 3 November.

The outbreak has spread across 67 health zones in eight provinces. Active transmission remained in 51 health zones on 3 November. The concentration in Ituri and North Kivu means response teams must maintain strong surveillance, testing, isolation and care in those provinces while watching other affected areas.

Deaths in communities suggest that some patients are not reaching treatment centres before their illness becomes fatal. WHO linked the pattern to difficulties identifying cases early and ensuring timely access to appropriate medical care. The concern is especially serious among young children, who make up a particularly vulnerable group in the report’s warning.

Between 21 October and the reporting date, 512 deaths were recorded in the DRC. Of these, 335 occurred in communities, while 177 occurred in treatment centres. This difference shows that many deaths are happening before patients can receive care in a specialised facility. Early symptoms can also resemble illnesses such as malaria, making laboratory confirmation important.

The pattern complicates outbreak control because people who are not identified and isolated may remain in households or communities while ill. The article does not give one single cause for each community death. It does show that faster detection, testing, referral and access to care are urgent priorities, particularly in Ituri and North Kivu.

Bundibugyo virus is zoonotic, so it can move from animals to humans. The article says fruit bats are suspected to be its natural reservoir. People may become infected through contact with blood or secretions from infected wildlife, including bats and non-human primates. This animal-to-human step can begin an outbreak.

Once the virus enters people, it spreads through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of an infected person. Contaminated surfaces and materials can also carry the virus. This mechanism means exposure can occur during caregiving, treatment or handling materials used by an infected person, although the article does not detail specific situations.

The incubation period lasts two to 21 days, and infected people are not infectious before symptoms appear, according to WHO. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. Because these signs may resemble malaria, laboratory testing helps confirm infection and supports rapid isolation and contact tracing.

In the DRC, the response focuses on finding cases early, isolating them, providing medical care and tracing people who may have been exposed. WHO says outbreak control also depends on laboratory testing, because early symptoms can resemble illnesses such as malaria. These measures are needed while transmission continues across many health zones.

Nigeria reported one laboratory-confirmed imported case in the Federal Capital Territory on 20 October. The patient was evacuated to Switzerland on 26 October and remains isolated while receiving care in Geneva. Nigerian authorities identified 62 contacts. Six had completed the mandatory 21-day follow-up, while 56 remained under monitoring as of 3 November.

The WHO and NCDC reported no newly identified contacts or symptomatic contacts in the preceding 24 hours. Nigerian authorities, WHO and partners intensified contact tracing, case investigations and infection prevention. They are also investigating the likely source and reconstructing the patient’s travel and exposure history. Kenya and Nigeria reported no new cases since 23 October.

Early detection matters because it connects infected people to testing, isolation and medical care before more exposures occur. The article says infected people are not infectious before symptoms appear, but early symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from illnesses such as malaria. Rapid laboratory testing therefore supports accurate diagnosis and timely action.

Isolation separates an infected patient from others, while contact tracing identifies people who may have been exposed and monitors them through the possible incubation period. Safe burials are also important because the virus can spread through bodily fluids and contaminated materials. The article does not describe burial procedures, but this is an established Ebola-control measure. Community cooperation helps teams identify illness and conduct these steps safely.

WHO says control depends on early identification, isolation, medical care and contact tracing. Nigeria is applying these measures after one imported case, while the DRC uses them amid widespread transmission. Cooperation is especially urgent because many deaths are occurring in communities, including among young children.