Congo’s National Institute for Biomedical Research confirmed two Ebola cases, including one death, in North Ubangi province on Sunday, confirming Reuters reporting from Thursday that had cited health officials without an official statement. North Ubangi, which borders the Central African Republic, becomes the eighth province affected, alongside North Kivu, Ituri, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, Sud-Kivu, Bas-Uele and South Ubangi. Congo’s latest situation report showed 67 new confirmed cases and 26 new deaths in the 24 hours to October 16, bringing the cumulative total to 9,415 cases and 4,536 deaths, with Ituri still reporting the most new cases.
Congo confirms Ebola spread to eighth province North Ubangi
Congo's National Institute for Biomedical Research confirmed two Ebola cases, including one death, in North Ubangi on Sunday, making it the eighth province hit by the outbreak.
Why it matters: North Ubangi borders the Central African Republic, so the confirmation extends the worst Ebola epidemic in Congo's history to a new cross-border risk, with cumulative totals now at 9,415 cases and 4,536 deaths.
Data as of Sunday, October 18, 2026, 09:46 ET. Developing item. The North Ubangi confirmation and the situation report totals are from Congo's National Institute for Biomedical Research and public health institute, as reported by Reuters on October 18, 2026, read in full, and carried in Russian by TASS the same day, read in full. Reuters first reported the North Ubangi cases on October 15, citing health officials, before Sunday's official confirmation.
Sources
- Congo confirms Ebola outbreak has spread to eighth province · Reuters, syndicated by 94.1 Duke FM · 2026-10-18
- DR Congo confirms Ebola outbreak spread to eighth province · TASS, in Russian · 2026-10-18