Congo Ebola outbreak surpasses 10,000 cases as infections spread across borders

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 28, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Reuters

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing its deadliest Ebola outbreak on record, with confirmed infections exceeding 10,000 and concerns mounting over the virus spreading to more African countries.

The country’s public health institute reported 10,060 confirmed cases and 4,887 deaths in its latest situation report released on October 27. The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, was first announced in mid-May.

The outbreak has grown beyond Congo, with Kenya reporting nine cases and Nigeria also confirming an infection linked to the wider epidemic. Health authorities are investigating how the virus reached people outside the country, including the wife of a Swiss diplomat who tested positive after traveling to Nigeria.

The scale of the outbreak has placed growing pressure on health workers and medical facilities. Some treatment centers are overwhelmed, while remote communities face shortages of medical supplies and personnel. Efforts to contain the virus have also been hampered by public mistrust and attacks against health workers involved in the response.

In eastern Congo, a nurse working to raise awareness about Ebola was recently killed in an attack, while another health worker was injured. Such incidents have added to the difficulties faced by response teams trying to reach affected communities.

Neighboring countries are tightening precautionary measures. Uganda, which previously recorded cases linked to the outbreak, has said it currently has no active infections and is requiring returning citizens with recent travel to Congo to undergo a 21 day quarantine.

The current epidemic has become Congo’s largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak, surpassing the 2018 to 2020 epidemic. With cases continuing to emerge across borders, health authorities are working to strengthen surveillance, improve access to treatment and prevent further transmission.