Ebola outbreak spreads to two new zones, total reaches 60 in eastern Congo

Ebola outbreak spreads to two new zones, total reaches 60 in eastern Congo

Health

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s health ministry said the Ebola outbreak spread to the Biena and Manguredjipa health zones, raising the number of affected zones to 60 and bringing total cases to nearly 5,800 with about 2,800 deaths. Earlier, response chief Professor Pierre Akilimali warned that infections had topped 5,600 and deaths 2,700, urging community engagement.

The government also began vaccinating frontline health workers with the Ervebo vaccine as the epidemic accelerated. Recent data showed more than 300 deaths in a single week, pushing the cumulative death toll to 2,642, while health officials noted that only a minority of cases were being detected and contact tracing remained far below target levels.

Actors

Yap Boum Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)

Locations

Democratic Republic of the Congo Bas-Uele province, Democratic Republic of the Congo South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Fact Check

How these metrics work
Verdict: Partially confirmed Confidence: 49% Claims: 4
At a glance

The claim that on August 28, 2026, Congo's health ministry reported the Ebola outbreak had spread to Biena and Manguredjipa, increasing affected zones to 60, was partially confirmed. The report of over 5,000 Ebola cases and 2,500 deaths in eastern Congo as of August 22, 2026, was also partially confirmed. The statement that total Ebola deaths reached 2,642 in eastern Congo by August 24, 2026, lacked sufficient evidence. The claim that government data showed more than 300 Ebola deaths in eastern Congo over the previous seven days as of August 24, 2026, was partially confirmed.

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Articles

August 28, 2026
3 total
Ebola outbreak reaches two additional health zones in eastern Congo, total now 60
Ebola outbreak reaches two additional health zones in eastern Congo, total now 60

AP News • 28 Aug 10:11

Congo's health ministry reports the Ebola outbreak has spread to Biena and Manguredjipa, bringing the number of affected zones to 60, with nearly 5,800 cases and 2,800 deaths.

Credibility 78% Manip. 5% Center
DR Congo Ebola response chief stresses community trust amid rising cases
DR Congo Ebola response chief stresses community trust amid rising cases

The Guardian • 28 Aug 04:00

Professor Pierre Akilimali, incident manager of the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola response, said the outbreak has caused over 5,600 infections and 2,700 deaths, and highlighted the need for community engagement and international support.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
Congo launches Ebola vaccination for health workers amid rapidly expanding outbreak
Congo launches Ebola vaccination for health workers amid rapidly expanding outbreak

AP News • 28 Aug 00:05

The Democratic Republic of Congo began administering the Ervebo vaccine to frontline health personnel as the Ebola outbreak, the fastest-growing in the country's history, continues to spread across eastern provinces.

Credibility 72% Manip. 7% Center
August 24, 2026
1 total
Ebola Death Toll in Eastern Congo Surpasses 300 in One Week
Ebola Death Toll in Eastern Congo Surpasses 300 in One Week

AP News • 24 Aug 13:09

Government data shows more than 300 Ebola deaths in eastern Congo over the past seven days, bringing the total to 2,642 amid the fastest-growing outbreak in history.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
August 22, 2026
1 total
Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo shows rapid growth and low detection rates
Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo shows rapid growth and low detection rates

AP News • 22 Aug 00:06

The Ebola epidemic in eastern Congo has recorded over 5,000 cases and 2,500 deaths, with health officials saying only a minority of cases are being detected and contact tracing remains far below expected levels.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center

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