Nairobi, June 23, 2026 – The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 1,000 confirmed infections, with health authorities reporting the death of an 18-month-old girl in a displacement camp as the disease continues to spread across eastern parts of the country.
Government figures show that the outbreak has claimed 254 lives and has now reached a third camp for displaced persons.
The rapid transmission of the virus across three eastern provinces has raised concerns among public health experts in Africa, who warn that the outbreak could grow into one of the continent’s most severe health emergencies in recent years.
A health report from Congo indicated that the toddler was tested for Ebola on June 14 while residing in the Hungbe displacement camp. She died before laboratory results confirming the infection were released the following day.
According to the report, the child had suffered from a fever for more than a week and was taken on foot to two separate health facilities, where she received antibiotic treatment before eventually undergoing an Ebola test.
Investigators identified at least 107 people who had contact with the child, including relatives, medical personnel and residents of nearby camps.
Dr. Emmanuel Musingusi Bulemu, a health official in the Nizi health zone, said local authorities were struggling with inadequate isolation facilities for infected patients.
He stressed the need to separate confirmed cases from the wider community to reduce the risk of further transmission but noted that available space remained insufficient.
Health officials have also confirmed two Ebola cases in Kpangba, another camp sheltering people displaced by years of armed conflict involving militias, rebel groups and government forces.
In a separate displacement site in Bunia, at least 30 deaths linked to the outbreak have been recorded.
Preliminary findings from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) suggest that children account for nearly 20 per cent of confirmed infections. Authorities have also reported a limited number of Ebola cases across the border in Uganda as surveillance efforts continue.