Geneva: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains uncontrolled six months after it was declared, with more than 11,000 confirmed infections and over 5,300 deaths, raising concerns about serious weaknesses in efforts to contain the deadly virus. International medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned that the response is failing to provide adequate support to frontline healthcare workers, despite substantial resources being mobilised to tackle the outbreak. The organisation says shortages of essential supplies, unpaid health workers, inadequate training and growing insecurity are making it difficult to stop transmission.
According to figures based on data through November 9, the outbreak has recorded 11,042 confirmed infections and 5,387 deaths. Eight provinces have been affected, with Ituri and North Kivu among the hardest hit areas. The outbreak, which was declared in May 2026, is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus. It is the deadliest Ebola outbreak recorded in the history of the DRC and the second largest recorded globally, after the West African epidemic between 2014 and 2016.
MSF International President Dr. Javid Abdelmoneim has criticised the difficulties facing medical teams, warning that frontline workers are not receiving the support and resources needed to control the disease. The organisation has reported several problems, including insufficient fuel for ambulances, shortages of medical supplies, inadequate surveillance and delays in paying healthcare workers. It has also raised concerns about infection prevention measures in hospitals, where patients and medical staff remain at risk of contracting the virus.
In the Beni health zone of North Kivu province, almost three quarters of Ebola patients are believed to have contracted the infection in healthcare facilities, according to MSF. This highlights the difficulties hospitals face in protecting patients while treating people infected with the virus. The organisation also reported that nearly two thirds of Ebola related deaths during the preceding month occurred in communities rather than treatment centres. This suggests that many infected people are dying without reaching specialised medical facilities in time.
British epidemiologist Neil Ferguson, director of public health at Imperial College London, has warned that the actual scale of the outbreak could be significantly higher than official figures suggest. His research team estimates that approximately half of infections may be going undetected. Ferguson's modelling suggests that between 2,000 and 3,000 people may currently be infected in the country. He has also warned that transmission could continue for another year and that the outbreak could eventually exceed the West African Ebola epidemic. However, this remains an expert projection rather than a confirmed forecast.
The security situation is adding to the difficulties faced by health authorities. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that an attack in Cantine Aloya in North Kivu province killed 66 civilians, including three health workers.
Three healthcare facilities were looted and burned during the attack. The violence also disrupted contact tracing, leaving more than 1,000 contacts unaccounted for in follow up records. Three confirmed Ebola patients were also reported unaccounted for following the incident. The WHO has warned that attacks against healthcare workers and facilities are undermining efforts to identify infections, monitor exposed people and provide treatment.
In another incident in Tshopo province, a nurse was killed and another health worker was seriously injured while responding to an Ebola alert. WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has acknowledged serious difficulties in the response, including delayed payments to frontline workers and insecurity affecting medical operations. The organisation says the response needs to be strengthened through improved surveillance, laboratory testing, early diagnosis, isolation, treatment and community engagement.
Vaccine research is also continuing. A trial using the Ervebo vaccine began in October, while WHO expert groups have recommended adding two vaccine candidates developed specifically for the Bundibugyo virus. However, there is currently no approved vaccine or specific approved treatment for this Ebola virus species. Ervebo was developed for a different Ebola virus species, and its use in a trial does not establish that it is effective against Bundibugyo.
The outbreak has also raised concerns across the region. Uganda declared its Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak over on July 28 after completing the required 42 day period without a new confirmed case. Kenya, which reported nine confirmed cases and two deaths, discharged its final patient on November 11 and began the 42 day countdown towards declaring its outbreak over. All nine cases were linked to the initial imported infection, with no evidence of community transmission.
Nigeria reported one imported case on October 20. The infected individual was evacuated to Switzerland for treatment, while health authorities identified 62 contacts for monitoring. The current outbreak has already become the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak recorded in the DRC. The West African epidemic of 2014 to 2016 remains the largest globally, with more than 28,600 infections and over 11,000 deaths.
Although some areas of the DRC have experienced a decline in transmission, new hotspots continue to emerge. Health authorities face the challenge of reaching isolated communities, restoring confidence in healthcare services and ensuring that frontline workers have the resources needed to respond. The continuing spread of the virus highlights the importance of sustained international support, effective local healthcare services and improved security for medical teams. With thousands of lives already lost, the ability of authorities to identify infections quickly, protect healthcare workers and reach affected communities will remain critical to bringing the outbreak under control.