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Isiro
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Nation / PlaceCD

Isiro

Capital of Haut-Uele province, DR Congo.

Isiro had 92 confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola cases and 36 deaths in its health zone by 5 September 2026, one of Haut-Uélé's two largest foci, in the city that hosted DR Congo's only earlier Bundibugyo outbreak.

Last refreshed: 4 October 2026

Timeline for Isiro

#14 23 Sept

Mentioned in: Ebola shifts south to DR Congo's Butembo

Pandemics and Biosecurity
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Background

Isiro is the capital of Haut-Uélé province in north-eastern DR Congo. It holds a particular place in the history of Bundibugyo ebolavirus, the rarer Ebola species with no licensed vaccine or treatment.

In 2012 Isiro was the centre of DR Congo's only Bundibugyo outbreak before 2026. That outbreak stayed contained, ended within months without any vaccine, and killed about 34% of laboratory-confirmed patients. Its quick end contrasts with the current epidemic, which has spread through trading cities such as Butembo.

The 2026 epidemic has brought the virus back to the city. Isiro's health zone is one of Haut-Uélé's two largest foci, which gives the city the distinction of having faced the same Ebola species twice in 14 years.

Key Issues
Ebola outbreak

Isiro faces Bundibugyo for a second time

DR Congo's national situation report for 5 September 2026 recorded 92 confirmed cases and 36 deaths in the Isiro health zone, out of 249 cases and 105 deaths across Haut-Uélé. That makes Isiro one of the province's two largest foci.

The city's first encounter with the species went differently. DR Congo's previous Bundibugyo outbreak, centred on Isiro in 2012, ended within months with no vaccine, because it stayed off the main trade roads. About 34% of its laboratory-confirmed patients died. The 2026 epidemic is FAR larger and deadlier: WHO counted 7,890 confirmed cases nationally by 23 September, with a case-fatality ratio of 48.1%.

Common Questions
Has the 2026 Ebola outbreak reached Isiro?
Yes. DR Congo's situation report for 5 September 2026 recorded 92 confirmed cases and 36 deaths in the Isiro health zone.Source: https://insp.cd/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/SitRep_MVEBDB_114_05_09_2026.pdf
What was the 2012 Isiro Ebola outbreak?
DR Congo's only earlier outbreak of Bundibugyo ebolavirus. It ended within months without a vaccine, and about 34% of confirmed patients died.Source:
Where is Isiro?
Isiro is the capital of Haut-Uélé province in north-eastern DR Congo.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isiro
Source Material
IsiroRapport de situation MVE N°114