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This page describes a CDC report posted on September 15, 2026, while the outbreak was ongoing. Figures will have changed since.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing its largest and deadliest Ebola disease outbreak. It is also the largest outbreak ever caused by Bundibugyo virus and the second largest Ebola outbreak worldwide. Because the first 100 days of an outbreak reveal how it spreads, how early measures are working and where it may be heading, CDC compared those days with four earlier outbreaks: the two largest on record and the only two previous Bundibugyo outbreaks.
Five outbreaks side by side
| Outbreak | Virus | First 100 days | Final toll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda, 2007 | Bundibugyo (first identified then) | fewer than 50 cases; confined to Bundibugyo district | 131 confirmed, probable and suspected cases; 42 deaths (32%); over within 6 months |
| DRC, 2012 | Bundibugyo | fewer than 50 cases; confined to Isiro health zone, Haut-Uélé province | 62 cases; 34 deaths (55%); over within 6 months |
| West Africa, 2014 | Ebola virus (Orthoebolavirus zairense) | 759 suspected, probable or confirmed cases and 467 deaths (62%) in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone (March 23–July 1, 2014) | 28,610 cases and 11,308 deaths (40%) across 10 countries over 3 years — the largest Ebola outbreak in history |
| DRC, 2018 | Ebola virus | 295 confirmed and 38 probable cases, 171 deaths (51%) among confirmed cases, in 14 health zones, mainly in the east (first 103 days, August 1–November 11, 2018) | 3,470 cases and 2,287 deaths (66%) over 22 months |
| DRC, 2026 | Bundibugyo | 5,458 confirmed cases and 2,606 deaths (48%) in 57 of DRC's 519 health zones (May 14–August 21, 2026) | ongoing |
The 2014 outbreak was declared in Guinea with an initial report of 49 confirmed cases and 29 deaths.
The 2026 outbreak
- May 14, 2026: Bundibugyo virus disease detected in DRC.
- May 15: outbreak declared. DRC's Ministry of Health had already identified 246 suspected cases and 76 suspected deaths, plus eight laboratory-confirmed cases and four deaths.
- First 100 days: 5,458 confirmed cases and 2,606 deaths. In Uganda, 21 probable or confirmed cases were linked to the outbreak, with limited local spread, mostly among health care workers. One travel-related case from DRC was detected in France.
- As of September 10: no evidence of community transmission outside DRC.
After 100 days, the outbreak had 7 times as many cases as the 2014 West Africa outbreak and 16 times as many as the 2018 DRC outbreak at the same point. No earlier Ebola outbreak had passed 800 cases in its first 100 days.
Cumulative cases by day in the first 100 days (A) and first year (B) of five outbreaks. The 2026 counts are confirmed cases; 2018, confirmed and probable; the others, confirmed, probable and suspected. CDC figure.
Why it matters
The outbreak had more cases when it was detected than the others did, which suggests several chains of transmission and wide circulation before anyone recognized it. Many things could change its course, but compared with past outbreaks at the same stage, its growth raises serious concern about continued spread.
It is proving hard to control. It is unfolding amid a long, complex humanitarian emergency — fighting involving armed groups, scarce health care and basic infrastructure, attacks on health workers and community mistrust — which hampers aid despite large deployments of staff and supplies such as laboratory equipment and personal protective equipment.
What CDC says is needed
Urgent, scaled-up, evidence-based measures:
- finding cases and tracing contacts quickly;
- expanding diagnostic capacity;
- improving infection prevention and control in health care settings;
- safe and dignified burials;
- stronger cross-border surveillance and coordination;
- community engagement.
Analyzing response indicators for each health zone may help pinpoint gaps and target efforts.
Sources
- Rossow J, McHale TC, Fuller J, et al.; CDC 2026 Ebola Response 100-Day Reporting Team. "Notes from the Field: The First 100 Days of Five Ebola Outbreaks — Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and West Africa, 2007–2026." Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 75(37), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Licens: CC0 1.0 (offentligt eje) · Bearbejdet efter www.cdc.gov
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