DR Congo confirms Ebola outbreak has spread to eighth province

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has confirmed that the ongoing Ebola outbreak has spread to North Ubangi, marking the eighth province to be affected by the current epidemic. The National Institute for Biomedical Research reported two cases in the new province, which have already resulted in at least one death. North Ubangi shares a border with the Central African Republic, a development that raises significant concerns about further cross-border transmission in a region already struggling to contain the virus.

This current epidemic is officially recognized as the worst Ebola outbreak in the history of the DRC. As of mid-October 2026, health authorities have documented a total of 9,415 cumulative cases and 4,536 deaths. While the virus has now reached eight provinces, eastern Congo remains the hardest-hit area, with Ituri province recording the highest concentration of infections and fatalities. The expansion into North Ubangi highlights the persistent challenges faced by medical teams in tracking and isolating cases across vast geographic distances and porous borders.

The regional implications of the outbreak continue to grow, as cases have also been reported in neighboring Uganda and Kenya. The confirmation of cases in North Ubangi is particularly significant due to its proximity to the Central African Republic, potentially opening a new front for the virus in Central Africa. International health organizations and regional authorities remain on high alert as the death toll continues to rise and the geographic footprint of the disease expands beyond the initial epicenters.