![Ebola in DRC Tops 5,000 Deaths: Second Deadliest](https://cdn.slatesource.com/9/1/a/91ac87bc-8ad9-4ae7-b583-0cf00298bc3a.webp) # Ebola in DRC Tops 5,000 Deaths: Second Deadliest - [Made in Slatesource](https://slatesource.com/@steph/ebola-in-drc-tops-5-000-deaths-second-deadliest) - By [Steph](https://slatesource.com/@steph) - Created on Oct 31, 2026 **5,026** Deaths confirmed in the 2026 Ebola outbreak [nbcnews.com](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/africa/congo-ebola-outbreak-deaths-top-5000-fear-continent-wide-spread-mounts-rcna606677?utm_source=slatesource) Total confirmed cases 10,351 Case fatality rate ~49% Recovered 2,788 Provinces affected in DRC 8 of 26 Health zones with active cases 50 New cases from known contacts ~20% Countries with confirmed cases DRC, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, France [cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov/ebola/situation-summary/index.html?utm_source=slatesource) ## Why containment is failing The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Doctors treat symptoms only. About 80% of new infections come from outside monitored contact chains. One-third of deaths occurred outside treatment centres before patients were tested. Armed conflict between the DRC government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group blocks access. Community mistrust has led to attacks on facilities. On 31 Oct, workers at the Tchomia centre in Ituri downed tools demanding four months of unpaid wages while five confirmed patients and ten suspected cases remained under care. Similar stoppages have occurred in Beni. [who.int](https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/ebola-outbreak---drc-2026?utm_source=slatesource) > It is a very tragic milestone because it is just not a number. It is families and communities that have been devastated by this outbreak. The number also shows the severity of this outbreak. > > — nbcnews.com 2026 Ebola outbreak: how it reached 5,000 deaths15.05.2026 – 31.10.2026 15.05.2026DRC Ministry of Health declares Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province 15.05.2026 16.05.2026WHO declares Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) 16.05.2026 21.05.2026Treatment centre torched by residents in Mongbwalu; 18 patients escape 21.05.2026 01.06.2026Cases reach Beni in North Kivu; MSF opens three treatment centres 01.06.2026 24.08.2026Second WHO IHR Emergency Committee meeting; outbreak declared "complex" 24.08.2026 06.10.2026Kenya confirms first imported case; index patient dies in Nairobi 06.10.2026 20.10.2026Nigeria confirms first case -- wife of Swiss diplomat who flew from Uganda 20.10.2026 27.10.2026Total confirmed cases cross 10,000 -- fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record 27.10.2026 29.10.2026Deaths cross 5,000 per DRC Ministry of Health data 29.10.2026 30.10.2026Saudi Arabia suspends travel to Kenya and halts all visas over Ebola concerns 30.10.2026 31.10.2026AP reports 5,026 deaths, 10,351 cases; Tchomia workers strike for unpaid wages 31.10.2026 [aljazeera.com](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/31/ebola-death-toll-in-dr-congo-passes-5000?utm_source=slatesource) What happens next 0% Kenya awaiting second Ebola tests for several patients -- results expected 2 Nov 2026 Kenya expects 5 patients discharged and 46 contacts cleared from quarantine on 3 Nov 2026 DRC central government response to wage arrears for health workers -- no date set WHO third IHR Emergency Committee review -- date not announced Possible WHO escalation if spread continues beyond current five countries Saudi Arabia travel restrictions on Kenya -- Kenya requesting review, no timeline given No vaccine or treatment trial approved for Bundibugyo strain -- research ongoing [cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov/ebola/situation-summary/index.html?utm_source=slatesource) Not yet confirmed: whether the Tchomia worker strike has ended; Nigeria contact-cluster results. Uganda was declared Ebola-free in Sep 2026. The French case recovered. Last updated 16:00 UTC 31 Oct 2026. Sources: AP via NBC News and ABC News (31 Oct 2026); Al Jazeera (02:51 UTC 31 Oct 2026); CDC situation summary; WHO PHEIC page; BBC (15:16 UTC 31 Oct 2026). [NBC News / AP: Congo Ebola deaths top 5,000 -- 31 Oct 2026](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/africa/congo-ebola-outbreak-deaths-top-5000-fear-continent-wide-spread-mounts-rcna606677?utm_source=slatesource) [Al Jazeera: Ebola death toll in DR Congo passes 5,000 -- 31 Oct 2026](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/31/ebola-death-toll-in-dr-congo-passes-5000?utm_source=slatesource) [CDC: 2026 Ebola outbreak situation summary](https://www.cdc.gov/ebola/situation-summary/index.html?utm_source=slatesource)