Ebola outbreak spreads to West Africa as Nigeria and Kenya confirm cases
Is it spreading beyond DR Congo?
Spread confirmed
As of 21 October 2026, Nigerian health authorities and Kenya's Ministry of Health have confirmed Ebola cases in their respective countries, while media outlets report the outbreak from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached four other nations. No onward local transmission has been confirmed in Nigeria, where 44 contacts are under observation, while Uganda reports no active cases.
Confirmed the country's first Ebola case of the Bundibugyo strain in a diplomat arriving from Uganda, placed the nation on high alert, isolated the patient, and initiated contact tracing.
As of 21 October 2026, the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has spread to West Africa following the confirmation of Nigeria's first case in Abuja.
Nigerian health authorities confirmed that the index case in Nigeria involved a diplomat who arrived from Uganda on 3 October 2026 and has since been isolated, with 44 contacts placed under monitoring. Meanwhile, Kenya's Ministry of Health confirmed its ninth case, and Ugandan authorities stated there are currently no active Ebola cases in Uganda.
In response to the international spread, the Africa CDC convened an emergency crisis summit and requested immediate international funding, while the World Health Organization is providing direct technical assistance to Nigerian health officials.
For official public health advice, readers should consult their national health authority and the World Health Organization (WHO). Early supportive care significantly improves survival in Ebola virus disease, and individuals should follow WHO and national guidance regarding vaccination and treatment; this page does not provide medical advice.
Timeline
A diplomat arrives in Abuja, Nigeria, from Uganda, later confirmed as Nigeria's first Ebola case.
Nigeria's Minister of Health confirms the country's first Ebola case; Kenya's Ministry of Health reports its ninth case; Uganda confirms zero active cases.
Original title: Nigeria's first ebola case sparks shock and urgent concern nationwide
Nigerian authorities are tracing contacts after a diplomat who arrived in Abuja from Uganda on October 3 was declared the country's first Ebola case, Africanews reported.
Original title: As Ebola spreads in Congo, grieving families face a growing mental health toll
Associated Press reported that grieving families in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are facing a growing mental health toll during the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
Original title: Ebola: Africa CDC réunit les ministres africains de la Santé face à l'extension de l'épidémie à trois régions du continent
Africa CDC convened African health ministers in response to the expansion of the Ebola outbreak to three regions of the continent, according to an Africa CDC announcement.
Original title: Ebola : Africa CDC appelle à un financement immédiat après la confirmation d’un cas au Nigeria
Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya called on the international community to mobilize immediate funding for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak response, Radio Okapi reported. The call followed the confirmation of an Ebola case in Nigeria announced on October 20, 2026, by Nigerian Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.
Original title: Ebola : trois prestataires de soins parmi les patients guéris au CTE de Biena à Lubero
Four people, including three healthcare workers, were declared cured of Ebola at the Biena treatment center in Lubero territory, North Kivu, according to Actualite.cd.
Original title: Nigeria confirms first Ebola case as outbreak spreads across Africa
Nigeria has recorded its first Ebola infection since 2014 as the outbreak spreads, Africanews reported. Public health teams are working to identify and monitor contacts.
Original title: Bunia : en attendant sa fermeture fin octobre, le CTE d’Elikiya a pris en charge plus de 550 patients confirmés d’Ebola en quatre mois
The Elikiya Ebola treatment center in Bunia, Ituri province, treated 572 confirmed Ebola patients during four months of operation ahead of its planned closure at the end of October, according to reporting by Actualite.cd.
Original title: Congo’s Ebola outbreak leaves grieving families struggling with fear and stigma
The Washington Post reported on the fear and stigma experienced by grieving families during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Original title: Un premier cas d'Ebola Bundibugyo détecté au Nigeria
An Ebola case caused by the Bundibugyo virus was detected in Nigeria in a patient who recently arrived from Uganda, according to official announcements. Authorities also identified 44 contact cases.