Ebola Cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo Surpass 10,000 Amid Regional Spread

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recorded 10,060 confirmed Ebola infections and 4,887 deaths since the virus was first detected in May, according to DRC health officials. The figures make this the largest Ebola outbreak in the country's history and the second‑largest globally, according to local health authorities.

Save the Children, which operates in the DRC, said that more than 2,700 of the infected individuals are children. The organisation's DRC director, Greg Ramm, described the milestone as a stark reminder of the crisis's scale, noting that families are facing fear and uncertainty while health facilities are under intense pressure.

The outbreak has spread beyond the DRC's borders. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed cases in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda. Kenya reported its first cases on 6 October, resulting in two deaths. Uganda, after recording 20 cases and two deaths, was declared Ebola‑free by the WHO in late August. Nigeria reported a single case involving a Swiss national who contracted the virus in Uganda and was later evacuated to Switzerland.

Health workers continue to face challenges in containing the virus. The DRC lacks an approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola that is driving the current epidemic, and many affected communities are also dealing with conflict, displacement and food insecurity. Ebola treatment centres have been established across eight provinces, but access to care remains limited.