Ebola Surge Warnings in Eastern DRC

Kinshasa, October 5, 2026 : Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has warned of an alarming rise in Ebola cases in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, calling for an urgent expansion of treatment capacity.

The outbreak has intensified since early September, with the region now accounting for nearly 40 percent of the country's new confirmed cases.

Stephanie Hofman, MSF's treatment center coordinator in Butembo, said weekly new hotspots and severe bed shortages are forcing risky patient transfers.

She added that over 60 percent of deaths still occur outside health facilities, underscoring the urgent need for early care and isolation.

The outbreak marks the country's 17th since Ebola was first identified in 1976, and is driven by the Bundibugyo strain, for which no specific vaccine or treatment currently exists. According to WHO data, the strain has caused 4,082 deaths out of 8,463 cases.

Source: QNA