A Congolese health worker and humanitarian responders on the front lines of the Ebola response receive a vaccination due to their potential exposure to the virus as part of their work with suspected cases, including contacts, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain in the North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Oct 16, 2026. REUTERS/Gradel Muyisa Mumbere
Published : 18 Oct 2026, 05:11 PM
Updated : 18 Oct 2026, 05:11 PM
The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to an eighth province, North Ubangi, Congo's public health institute said on Sunday, confirming earlier Reuters reporting.
The emergence of cases in the province, which borders the Central African Republic, poses a new challenge for health authorities struggling to contain the outbreak.
The National Institute for Biomedical Research confirmed two cases - including one death - in North Ubangi.
Reuters reported on Thursday that two cases were confirmed in the province, citing two health officials. At the time, there was no official statement by Congolese authorities.
North Ubangi becomes the eighth province affected by the outbreak, alongside North Kivu, Ituri, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, Sud-Kivu, Bas-Uele and South Ubangi.
The outbreak, the worst Ebola epidemic in Congo's history, has already spread beyond the country's borders, with cases recorded in Uganda and seven infections confirmed in Kenya this month.
Congo's latest situation report showed 67 new confirmed cases and 26 new deaths in the 24 hours to Oct 16, bringing the cumulative total to 9,415 cases and 4,536 deaths since the outbreak began.
The outbreak remains concentrated in eastern Congo, with Ituri province reporting 44 of the 67 new cases.