United Nations officials stated on September 15, 2026, that while efforts to curb an Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are showing some results, the outbreak remains “massive” and will require many months to bring fully under control.
UN Officials Warn Ebola Outbreak Will Take Months to Control
Julien Harneis, the U.N. special Ebola coordinator, described the situation as a deadly and a massive epidemic
during a press briefing in Geneva. He noted that although there are areas of progress, other regions continue to see growth in cases. This outbreak is the second most lethal on record, surpassed only by the West Africa epidemic that occurred between 2014 and 2016, which recorded 28,616 cases and 11,310 deaths across Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Olivier le Polain of the WHO added that it is too early to confidently state that the epidemic has passed its peak and emphasized that significant support is necessary to manage the crisis.
Regional Impact and Mortality Rates
The outbreak has seen significant geographic expansion within the DRC. As of September 7, 2026, the WHO reported that the Bundibugyo virus had spread to 61 health zones across six provinces: Tshopo, South Kivu, North Kivu, Ituri, Haut-Uélé, and Bas-Uélé. By September 15, government figures indicated the total had risen to 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces.
North Kivu province remains a primary area of concern. As of September 12, North Kivu had 1,269 cumulative confirmed cases, with 555 of those reported in the preceding 21 days. The WHO reported that North Kivu had one of the highest case fatality ratios in the outbreak at 65.4%. Thomas Paerisch, a public health specialist with Medecins Sans Frontieres, described the situation in North Kivu as “alarming” due to high population mobility, population density, and a complex security environment.
Conflicting Assessments of Transmission Trends
Despite the UN’s caution, Congo Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba reported encouraging signs
on September 13, stating that transmission has been gradually slowing since a peak in mid-August. According to Kamba:
- Daily new cases dropped from approximately 120 at the peak to around 80.
- 10 of the 62 affected health zones had recorded no new cases for more than 22 days.
Kamba expressed hope that the epidemic would be behind the country by the end of the year, though he warned that these results must not lead officials to lower their guard.
Containment Challenges and Medical Response
The WHO has noted that sustained transmission in the DRC poses a risk of cross-border spread. While surveillance is active at official ports, airports, and land borders, the use of informal crossing routes continues to facilitate the importation and exportation of the virus. As of September 7, confirmed cases were reported in Uganda (20 cases) and France (one case).
The response has faced logistical hurdles. NanoViricides, Inc. reported that travel restrictions and limited availability of diagnostic kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) have caused delays in their efforts. The company announced that a Phase II clinical trial for NV-387 Oral Gummies, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug, was expected to begin soon in the DRC under the leadership of principal investigator Professor Patrick Katoto.
The WHO reported that as of September 7, 21,359 identified contacts had been successfully monitored out of 24,719 requiring follow-up.
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