Health Minister Aden Duale said 28 people who had been in contact with the patient have so far been identified. They include family members and healthcare workers who treated him.

The death comes as the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to deal with a major Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.

Since the outbreak was declared in May 2026, more than 8,000 people have been infected and more than 4,000 have died.

The virus also spread to neighbouring Uganda, where 20 cases were recorded and two people died.

The World Health Organization declared Uganda free of Ebola in August, after the country successfully brought the outbreak under control.