The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has spread to North Ubangi province, which borders the Central African Republic (CAR), marking the eighth province affected, Reuters reported on 15 October 2026, citing two health officials in the DRC.
Two confirmed Ebola cases were identified in North Ubangi, though the Congolese authorities had not officially announced these infections at the time of reporting. The cases reportedly emerged following suspected deaths in a mining area within the Wapinda health zone near the Bas-Uele border, prompting laboratory tests in North Ubangi and Kinshasa.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus, was first announced in May 2026. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on 8 October 2026 cited 8,728 confirmed cases and 4,205 confirmed deaths across eight provinces, including Bas-Uele, Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Sud Ubangi, Tshopo, and now North Ubangi.
By 13 October 2026, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recorded 9,144 confirmed cases with 4,410 deaths in the country. Earlier, similar numbers were reported by UN News on 1 October 2026, which noted over 8,000 cases and 4,000 deaths across seven provinces.
The extension into North Ubangi is significant because its border with the Central African Republic raises the risk of the Ebola virus spreading across national boundaries, complicating efforts for contact tracing and surveillance. This cross-border threat increases the urgency for coordinated regional health responses and laboratory confirmation protocols.
Reuters described the outbreak as the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record. Given the continued rise in cases and deaths, the outbreak remains a critical public health emergency in the region.
Local health officials are conducting ongoing investigations and laboratory testing to monitor the situation in North Ubangi. The Congolese government’s official position on the new cases is awaited to provide clearer updates.
This worsening situation underlines the challenges faced in controlling Ebola outbreaks in remote provinces with porous borders and limited healthcare infrastructure. The international health community continues to monitor developments closely, emphasising the need for sustained resources and cooperation to contain the epidemic.
Cape Flats News will continue to provide updates as more verified information becomes available from official sources and health authorities.