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Congo Ebola Death Toll Passes 5,000 as Cases Reach 10,351, Health Institute Reports

Congo's public-health institute reported 5,026 confirmed Ebola deaths and 10,351 cases as of October 29, in an outbreak that has spread to eight provinces and beyond the country's borders.

By admin Oct. 31, 2026 · 11:42 AM ET 2 min read

Four health workers in white protective suits, face shields, blue gloves and shoe covers walking on a dirt path near a small building.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded 5,026 confirmed Ebola deaths and 10,351 confirmed cases as of October 29, according to the country’s National Institute of Public Health (INSP), which published the figures October 30 in situation report 168.

The report recorded 77 new confirmed cases and 34 deaths in the preceding 24-hour reporting period. Of the deaths, 20 were reported in communities and 14 in Ebola treatment centers. The new cases were reported in North Kivu, Ituri, Haut-Uélé and Tshopo. The institute put the cumulative case-fatality proportion at 48.6%, listed 2,788 recoveries and 1,101 patients in isolation or treatment centers, and said eight provinces and 67 health zones had been affected. US News America previously reported on the outbreak passing 10,000 cases.

White treatment tents with water containers and supply boxes set up on dry ground beside a dirt road.

Strain with no approved vaccine or treatment

The outbreak, declared in May, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments, according to IndoArab News. It is the country’s deadliest recorded Ebola outbreak and the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record, behind the 2014-2016 West African epidemic, which infected more than 28,600 people and claimed over 11,000 lives across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Delayed detection, ongoing conflict and pressure on the health system have helped the virus spread, according to IndoArab News. The virus has reached eight of the DRC’s 26 provinces and has spread beyond its borders: Nigeria last week became the fourth African country to report a case linked to the current outbreak, and Kenya and Uganda have also reported cases.

Gloved hands holding a rack of empty clear test tubes in a laboratory.

Health workers and hospitals under strain

Africa CDC paid tribute to Dr. Marie-France Shogogo, who died of Ebola in Beni, North Kivu Province, and called for greater protection of frontline health workers, according to The Eastleigh Voice. According to local health sources cited by The Eastleigh Voice, three doctors died of Ebola within less than 72 hours at an Ebola treatment center in Beni. The Beni health zone reported 661 cases, including 443 deaths, a case-fatality rate of 67.0%, according to the INSP report. Across North Kivu, 2,391 confirmed cases and 1,341 deaths had been recorded.

A white ambulance van parked in front of a concrete rural clinic building with a rusted metal roof.

Treatment facilities were operating at 86.3% capacity, and 82.2% of identified contacts were being monitored, below the target of 95%, according to The Eastleigh Voice’s account of the INSP report. On Friday, Saudi Arabia announced the suspension of travel to and entry from Kenya, according to the Saudi Press Agency, after previously imposing similar restrictions in June on travel to and entry from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan.

Reporting based on coverage by Okay News, The Eastleigh Voice and IndoArab News.

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