The deadly Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has escalated sharply, with 4,665 confirmed cases and 2,184 deaths recorded as of August 12, 2026, raising fresh concerns over the risk of international spread.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the outbreak, which began in Mongbwalu health zone in Ituri Province, has now spread to 54 health zones across six provinces — Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo and Bas-Uélé.

The 46.8 per cent crude case fatality ratio underscores the severity of the outbreak, which WHO described as the largest BVD outbreak ever reported in the country and one expanding faster than previous Ebola outbreaks.

The situation has deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks, with 579 cases and 304 deaths reported during epidemiological week 32, covering August 3 to 9 — the highest weekly totals recorded since the outbreak began.

WHO said the continued rise in infections, expanding geographic spread and high mortality indicate a rapidly evolving public health emergency of international concern.

The most recent province to report an infection is Bas-Uélé, where one confirmed case was detected in Buta health zone. The patient had a travel history to Haut-Uélé and developed symptoms on August 4.

According to WHO, the outbreak is no longer confined to isolated locations but is increasingly characterised by sustained transmission across interconnected geographic clusters, complicating containment efforts.

The agency warned that the humanitarian crisis in the DRC, compounded by insecurity, population displacement, high mobility and cross-border movements, is creating additional challenges for the response and increasing the risk of further spread.

National authorities, working with WHO and other partners, are implementing response measures, but the scale of the outbreak has triggered a major push to intensify interventions.