DRC Ebola Outbreak Surpasses 10,000 Cases after Unprecedented Early Growth

October 28, 2026

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases and nearly 5,000 deaths, making it the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak in the country’s history. It crossed the 10,000-case mark in 163 days, 51 days sooner than the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic.  

The scale and pace of the outbreak underline the need for a response that can reach affected communities quickly and consistently. Experience from the previous DRC outbreak offers a practical lesson: community engagement needs to be built into the response from the outset, alongside clinical care, contact tracing, and infection prevention. 

In North Kivu, where Beni remains one of the areas reporting the highest recent numbers of Ebola cases and deaths, communities and frontline health workers face significant challenges. Prosper Global (formerly Mercy Corps) teams in Beni report shortages of clean water and basic infection-prevention supplies, delays in responding to suspected cases and deaths, and difficulties reaching communities with accurate information. Ongoing conflict and insecurity are adding further pressure on already stretched services. These shortages and delays are contributing to frustration and mistrust among some communities. 

Rose Tchwenko, Prosper Global Country Director for the DRC, says: 

“Ten thousand cases is a sobering milestone. Our experience from the previous outbreak showed that communities need more than information about Ebola. They need trusted people they can turn to, the chance to ask questions and raise concerns, and a response that acts on what they hear.   

“When local organizations and community leaders are supported to play that role, they can help connect families with care and make prevention practical.  

“That work must happen at the same scale and with the same intensity and consistency as the medical response. Frontline health workers and local organizations need sustained, flexible support to reach communities early and respond consistently." 

Prosper Global is supporting the government-led Ebola response in Ituri and North Kivu, working alongside the Ministry of Public Health, local health authorities, and community structures to help stop transmission and support affected families.  

Our work includes community engagement and local radio, social media and interactive voice messaging to share accurate information, counter rumors, and encourage early reporting. We are improving access to clean water, sanitation, and infection prevention in health facilities, schools, and communities. We are also providing cash assistance to vulnerable people, including Ebola survivors who have lost income because of stigma, and psychosocial support to survivors and their families. 

Notes to Editor 

  • WHO reported that the outbreak averaged around 90 confirmed cases a day during its first three months, markedly higher than the rate recorded over the same period in both the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic and the 2018–2020 DRC outbreak.  

  • Prosper Global analysis found that the 2026 DRC outbreak reached 10,000 reported cases in 163 days, 51 days sooner than the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic. At the same point, West Africa had recorded 3,685 cases and the 2018–2020 DRC outbreak 635; the latter ended with 3,481 cases. Figures compare reported case trajectories, with differences in case definitions across outbreaks. 

  • During the 2018–2020 outbreak, Prosper Global worked with 40 local organizations in Butembo and Katwa to establish community information centres where people could ask questions, raise concerns, and speak directly with response teams. In these areas, reported confidence in the response rose from 18% in June 2019 to 91% in April 2020. 

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