A fast-moving Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed at least two more lives and reached a previously unaffected province, health officials confirmed on Thursday. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the virus has now spread to Bas-Uélé province, where a 39-year-old man died on 12 August 2026 after testing positive for Ebola virus disease (EVD).

This marks the first time the current outbreak—already the largest in the DRC this year—has crossed into Bas-Uélé, a region bordering the Central African Republic. The man’s death brings the official toll in the current outbreak to 28 confirmed fatalities since it began in June 2026. Health authorities are investigating whether the virus was transmitted locally or carried across the border.

  • Confirmed cases: 47 (including 28 deaths)
  • Provinces affected: North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Bas-Uélé
  • Last reported case: 14 August 2026
  • WHO response team: Deployed to Bas-Uélé on 15 August 2026

The outbreak is caused by the Zaire ebolavirus, the most lethal strain, with a fatality rate of up to 90% in past outbreaks. Health experts warn that the spread to a new province increases the risk of the virus reaching neighboring countries, including Uganda and Rwanda, which have experienced cross-border Ebola cases in recent years.

How the virus spreads and what to watch

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of infected people, or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding. The incubation period is typically 2 to 21 days.

Health officials are particularly concerned because Bas-Uélé has limited healthcare infrastructure and relies on cross-border trade with the Central African Republic, where Ebola has also been reported. The WHO has raised the risk level to ‘very high’ at the national level in the DRC and ‘high’ regionally.

Pakistan’s National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued a health advisory for travelers returning from Central Africa, urging them to monitor their health for 21 days and report any symptoms immediately. The NIH has set up a 24/7 hotline (051-9255555) for guidance.

What Pakistan is doing to prepare

While no Ebola cases have been reported in Pakistan, the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) has activated its National Ebola Preparedness and Response Plan. Key measures include:

  • Screening at major airports: Thermal scanners installed at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar airports since 16 August 2026.
  • Quarantine facilities: Five hospitals designated as isolation centers: Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Islamabad, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital Lahore, Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar, and Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi.
  • Lab testing: NIH’s virology lab in Islamabad is now equipped to test for Ebola using PCR machines, with results available within 6 hours.
  • Public awareness: The NHS has launched SMS alerts and social media campaigns in Urdu and English, advising citizens to avoid contact with wild animals and report any suspected cases to 1166 (NHS helpline).

What you should do right now

You don’t need to panic, but you should stay informed and take precautions if you’ve traveled recently or plan to visit Central Africa:

  • Monitor your health: If you returned from DRC, CAR, or neighboring countries in the last 21 days, watch for fever, vomiting, or bleeding.
  • Avoid contact: Do not touch sick or dead animals (especially bats and primates), raw bushmeat, or bodily fluids.
  • Wash hands: Use soap or hand sanitizer frequently, especially after visiting markets or hospitals.
  • Report symptoms: If you develop a fever over 38.5°C with other Ebola symptoms, go to the nearest designated hospital immediately. Do not self-medicate.
  • Check travel advisories: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated its travel advisory for Central Africa. Visit mofa.gov.pk/travel-advisories for the latest updates.

What’s next: monitoring and containment

The WHO is coordinating with DRC authorities to trace contacts of the Bas-Uélé victim and vaccinate frontline workers. Over 5,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine—the only licensed Ebola vaccine—have been pre-positioned in the DRC, but supply remains limited.

In Pakistan, the NHS will hold a press conference on 19 August 2026 to update the public on preparedness levels. The government has also requested that all provinces submit daily surveillance reports starting 18 August 2026.

Experts say the window to contain the outbreak is still open, but delays in reporting and weak healthcare systems in remote areas could allow the virus to gain a foothold. The WHO has called for $15 million in emergency funding to support the response in the DRC and neighboring countries.

For now, Pakistan’s health system is on alert—but the risk to the public remains low if vigilance is maintained.