Ebola outbreak spreads to Nigeria as cases rise in Kenya and the DRC
Is it spreading beyond DR Congo?
Spread confirmed
As of 20 October 2026, health authorities in Kenya and Nigeria have confirmed Ebola cases linked to the outbreak in East Africa, with Kenya reporting nine cases and Nigeria confirming its first case in Abuja.
As of 20 October 2026, the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has spread beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Kenya and Nigeria. Nigerian authorities confirmed the country's first case in a woman who traveled from Uganda to Abuja, placing Nigeria on maximum alert. Meanwhile, Kenya's Ministry of Health confirmed its ninth case, with all infections traced back to an initial patient.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, response authorities reported 97 new cases in a 24-hour period as the virus spread to an eighth province, Nord-Ubangi. Response efforts face operational challenges, including healthcare worker labor disputes over unpaid allowances in Ituri and ongoing discussions between authorities and international bodies regarding aid fund tracking.
For health advice and outbreak updates, readers should consult their national health authority and the World Health Organization. Early supportive care significantly improves survival, and individuals should follow official guidance regarding vaccination, treatment, and travel measures. This site is for tracking purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Timeline
Two Ebola cases and one death are recorded in Wapinda, Nord-Ubangi province, extending the outbreak to eight DRC provinces.
MSF announces the closure of its Elikya treatment center in Bunia by October 31 as response workers in Rwampara threaten strike action over unpaid allowances.
Original title: Ebola en RDC : l’INSP rassure sur le mécanisme de suivi des fonds de la riposte
The National Institute of Public Health clarified on October 19 the mechanism established to track Ebola response funding following controversy over more than $700 million mentioned by Africa CDC, Radio Okapi reported.
Original title: Ebola au Nigeria: Jean Kaseya appelle à une mobilisation urgente de la communauté internationale
Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya called for urgent international solidarity following the confirmation of a Bundibugyo strain Ebola case in Nigeria.
Original title: Kenya confirms new Ebola case, bringing total infections to 9, health ministry says
The Ministry of Health in Kenya confirmed a new Ebola case, bringing the country's total number of infections to nine, according to The Washington Post.
Original title: Ebola à Beni : sept élèves contaminés en deux semaines à Mangina
Actualite.cd reported that at least seven confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease were recorded among students in Mangina, located in the Mabalako health zone of Beni territory, over a two-week period.
Original title: Ebola en RDC: plus de cas en 24 heures au Nord-Kivu qu’en Ituri, considérée comme l'épicentre de l’épidémie
Response authorities reported 97 new Ebola cases across eight provinces in 24 hours, with North Kivu recording more confirmed cases on October 18 than Ituri.
Original title: MSF annonce la fermeture de son centre de traitement d’Ebola « Elikya » à Bunia le 31 octobre
Doctors Without Borders announced it will close its Elikya Ebola treatment center in Bunia, Ituri province, on October 31 and redeploy emergency teams to other affected areas. Health authorities urged the public to remain vigilant despite a decline in new cases in some localities, according to Radio Okapi.
Original title: DR Congo: $700m in Ebola aid unaccounted for as outbreak spreads
Africa CDC and Congolese officials have raised concerns over $700 million in Ebola aid that is unaccounted for. They called on aid groups to provide more detailed financial reporting.
Original title: Ebola: pour l’OMS, «c’est bien sûr possible de retracer ces fonds» dont la gestion est «floue» selon Africa CDC
Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya stated on October 14 that DRC authorities could trace only $220 million of $962 million disbursed by donors for Ebola response. The World Health Organization responded that tracing the remaining $700 million is possible through a financial tracking mechanism established with Africa CDC and the DRC government.
Original title: Les prestataires de la riposte contre Ebola à Rwampara menacent d’arrêter le travail sous 48 heures faute de paiement
Health workers involved in the Ebola response in the Rwampara health zone in Bunia, Ituri province, threatened to initiate a strike within 48 hours if their unpaid bonus arrears are not disbursed, Radio Okapi reported.
Original title: Africa CDC wants aid groups to account better for millions disbursed to fight Ebola outbreak
Africa CDC requested that aid groups provide better accounting for millions of dollars disbursed to fight the Ebola outbreak, the Associated Press reported.