Staff Reporter
CONFIRMED Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have surpassed 8,000, with 3,901 deaths recorded, as Namibia advises its nationals to limit non-essential travel to the country amid the ongoing outbreak.
The latest situation report from the DRC’s public health institute recorded 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 deaths as of Monday.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus and has become the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak recorded in the DRC, surpassing the country’s 2018–2020 epidemic. The outbreak is also the second-largest Ebola outbreak recorded globally, behind the 2014–2016 West African outbreak, which affected more than 28,600 people and resulted in more than 11,000 deaths.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the DRC outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May 2026. As of 23 September, the WHO had recorded 7,890 confirmed cases and 3,799 deaths across seven provinces.
The Namibian Ministry of International Relations and Trade, in a travel advisory, advised Namibian nationals planning to travel to the DRC to exercise heightened caution and prioritise essential travel only.
The Ministry said the advisory was issued in light of the ongoing Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak and noted that the capacity to provide in-person emergency consular and welfare assistance may be limited, particularly outside Kinshasa, due to prevailing health and security conditions.
According to the advisory, health authorities, including the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, advise avoiding non-essential travel to Haut-Uélé and Tshopo provinces and deferring travel to Ituri and Nord-Kivu provinces, except for authorised humanitarian and emergency response personnel.
The Ministry advised enhanced health precautions across all other provinces.
Namibian nationals who must travel to the DRC are advised to register their itineraries with the Ministry of International Relations and Trade and the Namibian Embassy in Kinshasa before departure.
The Ministry said Namibia continues to monitor developments with regional partners and will provide further updates as necessary.
It also reaffirmed Namibia’s solidarity with the government and people of the DRC and its commitment to regional efforts aimed at containing the spread of the virus.
Sources: Reuters/Ministry of International Relations and Trade
