#Bundibugyo Virus Disease #Outbreak, #DRC, #Uganda - Situation #Report 16, Data as of 30 August 2026 (WHO, summary): 6,100 cases & 2,950 deaths in DRC

 

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Event description

Democratic Republic of the Congo

    The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of  the Congo continues to evolve, characterized by sustained transmission, high mortality and continued geographic expansion. 

    The epidemiological picture is increasingly heterogeneous, with  persistent transmission in established hotspots in Ituri, intensifying transmission  in parts of Nord-Kivu and Haut-Uélé, and the continued emergence of cases in  previously unaffected health zones. 

    Since External Situation Report #15, a further 516 confirmed cases and 270 confirmed deaths have been reported, bringing the cumulative total to 6100 confirmed cases, including 2950 deaths (CFR 48.4%), as of 30 August 2026. 

    The number of affected health zones has increased from 57 to 60 across  six provinces, with Biena and Manguredjipa in Nord-Kivu and Ganga in  Bas-Uélé newly affected since the previous update. 

    Ituri remains the epicentre, accounting for 82.2% of cumulative confirmed  cases, although continued expansion in Nord-Kivu and Bas-Uélé underscores the  increasingly dispersed geographic pattern of the outbreak.

    During the most recent 21 days (10 – 30 August 2026), 1719 confirmed cases were reported nationally. Compared with 1958 cases during the preceding 21-day period (20 July – 9 August 2026), this represents a decrease of 239 cases (−12.2%). This decline should be interpreted cautiously given  potential reporting delays and retrospective data reconciliation and does not, on its own, establish that transmission is declining. 

    The national trend continues to mask substantial geographic heterogeneity.  

    Reported cases declined by 21.6% in Ituri, from 1601 to 1255, but  increased by 33.2% in Nord-Kivu, from 256 to 341, and by 12.4% in Haut- Uelé, from 97 to 109. Consequently, Ituri’s contribution to newly reported cases  fell from 81.8% to 73.0%, while Nord-Kivu’s contribution increased from 13.1% to 19.8% and HautUélé’s from 5.0% to 6.3%. 

    A further 10 cases were reported in Tshopo and four in the newly affected  Bas-Uélé during the latest period. 

    The latest provincial cumulative totals confirm that Ituri remains the  principal focus, but transmission is becoming progressively less concentrated in  the original epicentre.

    During the same period, 939 confirmed deaths were reported nationally,  compared with 1044 deaths during the preceding 21 days, representing a  decrease of 105 deaths (−10.1%). This decline was again driven predominantly  by Ituri, where reported deaths decreased from 809 to 654 (−19.2%). 

    In contrast, deaths increased from 197 to 228 (+15.7%) in Nord-Kivu and  from 37 to 50 (+35.1%) in Haut-Uélé. Consequently, Ituri’s contribution to newly  reported deaths declined from 77.5% to 69.6%, while Nord-Kivu’s increased from  18.9% to 24.3% and Haut-Uélé’s from 3.5% to 5.3%. Tshopo reported four  deaths and Bas-Uélé three during the latest period. Taken together, the decline in  both reported cases and deaths suggests a reduction in the nationally reported  disease burden. However, reporting delays and retrospective data reconciliation  limit interpretation, while simultaneous increases in cases and deaths in Nord-Kivu and Haut-Uélé demonstrate that transmission remains substantial and is  continuing to redistribute geographically.

Figure 1. Daily trend in confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease cases, with seven-day moving average, by date of report, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as of 30 August 2026

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    At health-zone level, the national decline masks substantial  heterogeneity across established and emerging transmission foci. Of the 60  health zones affected since the start of the outbreak, comparison of the two  consecutive 21-day periods shows that reported cases increased in 20 health  zones and decreased in 22. 

    

    A further 10 previously affected health zones reported no confirmed  cases during the latest 21 days (Adja, Kambala, Logo and Mahagi in Ituri; Goma  and Lubero in Nord-Kivu; Rungu in Haut-Uélé; Lubunga and Wanie-Rukula in  Tshopo; and Miti-Murhesa in Sud-Kivu), while incidence was unchanged in one health zone (Bafwasende, Tshopo). 

    Seven health zones were newly affected during the latest 21-day period. 

    In Ituri, the reduction was driven particularly by Mongbwalu, where  reported cases declined from 183 to 44 (−139; −76.0%), and Nizi, from 277 to  182 (−95; −34.3%). 

    Cases also declined in Lita, from 84 to 61 (−23; −27.4%), and Rwampara,  from 242 to 191 (−51; −21.1%). 

    Bunia, however, remained the largest active focus and increased from  363 to 383 (+20; +5.5%). Other Ituri health zones also recorded increases,  notably Mangala, from 53 to 126 (+73; +137.7%), Nia-Nia, from 61 to 80 (+19;  +31.1%), and Bambu, from 31 to 66 (+35; +112.9%). 

    Outside Ituri, transmission  continued to intensify in Nord-Kivu,  particularly in Katwa, where cases increased from 112 to 165 (+53;  +47.3%), and Beni, from 30 to 66 (+36; +120.0%). In Haut-Uélé, Isiro increased  from 18 to 51 (+33; +183.3%) and Wamba from 8 to 48 (+40; +500.0%). 

    These patterns show that the overall decline in Ituri is being driven by  substantial reductions in several established hotspots rather than a uniform  decrease across the province; Bunia remains highly active, while other foci within  Ituri and in Nord-Kivu and Haut-Uélé continue to expand. 

    Reported deaths show a similar geographic redistribution but with  important differences from the case trends. In Ituri, deaths declined substantially  in several established hotspots, including Mongbwalu, Nizi, Lita and Rwampara,  consistent with the reduction in reported cases in these areas. However, mortality  remained substantial in Bunia, while increases in cases in Mangala, Nia-Nia and  Bambu indicate continued transmission within the province despite the overall  decline.

    In Nord-Kivu, increasing mortality accompanied the continued growth  of the Katwa and Beni foci, while in Haut-Uélé the increase in deaths was  concentrated particularly in Isiro and Wamba. 

    Overall, the health-zone  pattern reinforces the provincial analysis:  transmission is declining in several formerly dominant Ituri hotspots but is not  declining uniformly. 

    Interpretation of health-zone mortality trends in Ituri should however  remain cautious, particularly because cumulative death counts have undergone  continuing reconciliation and redistribution across health zones, with 329 confirmed deaths in Ituri awaiting allocation to health zone as of 30 August  2026. 

    Mortality remains high, with 270 confirmed deaths reported during the  last seven days, including 171 (63.3%) in the community and 99 (36.7%) in BVD  treatment facilities. 

    The persistently high proportion of community deaths (defined  as both  deaths at home and at non-BVD health facilities) highlights continued challenges  with early detection, referral and timely access to treatment, while mortality in  BVD treatment facilities may reflect late presentation, quality of care and patient  vulnerabilities, including age, malnutrition and comorbidities; further analysis to  understand the risk factors is underway.

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Uganda and France

    Both Uganda and France have not reported new cases for more than 42  days. The outbreak in these countries is considered over by WHO’s norm of 42  days without any cases. 

Risk Assessment

    According to WHO’s latest Rapid Risk Assessment as of 20 August 2026, the risk of further spread remains very high within the Democratic  Republic of the Congo and high for neighbouring countries sharing land  borders with the country. 

    The assessment reflects sustained transmission, continued geographic  expansion, high mortality, population mobility, insecurity and persistent response  challenges. The risk is considered low elsewhere in Africa and globally. 

    The second IHR Emergency Committee, convened on 18 August 2026, also  reviewed the evolving situation and emphasized that the outbreak remains far  from controlled, and continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

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Situation interpretation

    The overall decline in reported cases and deaths is encouraging but  does not yet indicate that the outbreak is under control. Transmission is becoming  increasingly heterogeneous, with reductions in several established  hotspots in Ituri occurring alongside expanding transmission in Nord-Kivu and  Haut-Uélé and continued emergence of new affected health zones. 

    Persistently high mortality, particularly community deaths, together with  gaps in contact follow-up, referral and treatment capacity, infection  prevention and control, and community acceptance, continue to create opportunities for transmission. 

    The response should therefore become more anticipatory and  geographically targeted, rapidly shifting surveillance, contact tracing, clinical care,  IPC, community engagement, workforce and logistical capacity towards emerging and intensifying hotspots, while sustaining interventions in areas where transmission is declining to prevent resurgence.

Source: 

Link: https://iris.who.int/bitstreams/22a50ebd-a676-4a82-a40e-7feae57dc1fe/download

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