Ebola: 5,471 deaths from 11,197 cases in DR Congo
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on France 24 and Beto
In DR Congo, the Ebola outbreak declared on 15 May now weighs more heavily than all previous outbreaks to hit the country: 5,471 deaths from 11,197 cases, according to France 24. It is the 17th outbreak recorded in this country of more than 100 million people.
According to the WHO, the disease is now present in 67 health zones spread across eight provinces, and between 400 and 500 new cases are recorded each week. Children are among the main victims: they account for more than a quarter of confirmed cases and a third of deaths. Among under-fives, seven in ten patients have died.
Early detection and contact tracing remain difficult, and roughly two-thirds of confirmed deaths occur in communities. Imported cases have also been confirmed in Kenya and Nigeria, illustrating the risk of spread beyond Congolese borders.
The first identified outbreaks have been contained, notably in Mongbwalu, Nyankunde, Nizi, Rwampara and Butembo. In the city of Bunia, which was among the major hotspots, the number of new cases has been halved. Laboratories capable of analysing samples now number more than 24, up from two at the start, nearly 2,000 beds are available in 104 treatment and transit centres, and around 3,000 people have recovered. Some 100 health and humanitarian organisations are mobilised under the leadership of the Congolese authorities, with support from the WHO, Africa CDC and the United Nations; more than 17,000 health workers and 46,000 community liaison workers have been trained.
Armed violence is hampering the response, particularly in the East. In a statement dated 14 November, the WHO says a recent attack in Cantine-Aloya killed 66 civilians, including three health workers, and three health facilities were looted. More than 1,000 people followed up after contact with patients have been lost to follow-up, three confirmed cases remain untraced, and more than 80 attacks on health facilities or personnel have been recorded since the start of the outbreak. A further attack on this locality was reported on the morning of 11 November. The WHO and its partners are calling for an end to hostilities.
In maps and figures
Real-time tracker · Ebola
Ebola in DR Congo: the outbreak in figures
As of 12 November 2026 : 11,254 confirmed cases (+451 in 7 days), 5,505 deaths
Map, curves and zonesEbola: countries and questionsAll outbreaks
