The number of deaths due to the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRCongo) reached 4,381 and more than 9,000 cases were recorded, according to data released today by the Congolese authorities. The epidemic, which affects 64 health zones in seven provinces, is the second most deadly in global history.
© Lusa
13/10/2026
by
Lusa
O the number of deaths due to the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRCongo) reached 4,381 and more than 9,000 cases were recorded, according to data released today by the Congolese authorities.
According to the latest report published by the Congolese Ministry of Health, with data collected until October 12, a total of 9,066 confirmed infections were recorded, with a mortality rate of 48.3%.
In addition, 2,389 patients recovered from the disease and another 895 are hospitalized or in isolation, while the contact tracking rate is at 79.5%.
The epidemic affects 64 health zones in seven of the 26 provinces of DRCongo: Ituri (in the east), Tshopo (central-north), Bas-Uélé (north), Haut-Uélé (northeast), North Kivu (east), South Kivu (east) and South Ubangi (northwest).
This epidemic is the second most deadly in global history, although it is still far from the most serious, which caused 28,000 cases and about 11,000 deaths in West Africa between 2014 and 2016.
The Bundibugyo strain, responsible for the current epidemic, does not have specific medical treatments, although the WHO is working on two vaccines that have already started trials in humans and have so far proved safe.
However, its development may take months.
Ebola virus is transmitted by direct contact with body fluids from infected people or animals and causes severe haemorrhagic fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and internal bleeding.