The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak expands in DR Congo with cases in Kenya and Nigeria.
Is it spreading beyond DR Congo?
Spread confirmed
As of 23 October 2026, the World Health Organization and regional public health authorities have confirmed imported cases of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease in Kenya and Nigeria.
Sources: World Health OrganizationAfricanewsRFIECDCKey figures
| Figure | Value | Basis | As of | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmed cases in Democratic Republic of the Congo Reported by WHO as of October 20, 2026, spanning 66 health zones in eight provinces. | 9,704 | Official | Sources: World Health Organization | |
| Deaths in Democratic Republic of the Congo Reported by WHO as of October 20, 2026. | 4,687 | Official | Sources: World Health Organization | |
| Confirmed cases in Kenya Reported by Kenyan health authorities, linked to the index case in Nairobi. | 9 | Official | Sources: RFI | |
| Deaths in Kenya Reported by Kenyan authorities. | 2 | Official | Sources: DW | |
| Confirmed cases in Nigeria Reported by Nigeria's health minister as an isolated case linked to Kenya's index case. | 1 | Official | Sources: AfricanewsReuters |
Who says what
| Who | Says | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Health Organization | Warned that Africa faces a complex outbreak and confirmed total cases in DR Congo alongside imported cases in Kenya and Nigeria while launching the Tumaini vaccine trial. | Sources: World Health OrganizationLe MondeAfricanews | |
| Africa CDC | Stated that the Ebola patient diagnosed in Nigeria arrived from Uganda, indicating the virus is circulating in Uganda, and convened a crisis meeting. | Sources: RFIDW | |
| Ministry of Health of Nigeria | Confirmed the country's first Ebola case as an isolated infection linked to Kenya's index case and announced stepped-up airport screenings. | Sources: AfricanewsReutersAfricanews 2 | |
| Kenyan Health Authorities | Reported two Ebola deaths and nine confirmed cases while tracing contacts and managing quarantine protocols. | Sources: DWRFIUN News |
Summary
As of 23 October 2026, the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease outbreak originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to expand, reaching 9,704 confirmed cases and 4,687 deaths across 66 health zones in DR Congo alongside imported cases detected in Kenya and Nigeria.
To address the regional risk, a clinical trial for the Tumaini Ebola candidate vaccine has been initiated in Bunia, DR Congo, while affected countries and international partners enhance contact tracing and airport screening measures.
Timeline
- Nigeria confirmed its first case of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain in a traveler arriving from Uganda.Sources: France 24RFI
- Africa CDC reported that the patient diagnosed in Nigeria traveled from Uganda without passing through DR Congo.Sources: RFI
- WHO announced the start of a clinical trial for the Tumaini Ebola vaccine against Bundibugyo virus in Bunia, DR Congo.Sources: Le MondeActualite.cd
- Nigeria's health minister stated that the country's first Ebola case is linked to the index case in Kenya.Sources: ReutersAfricanews
- Kenya announced a second death from Ebola as the first group of contact cases finished quarantine.Sources: DWUN News
Still unknown
- Whether undetected community transmission of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus is taking place in Uganda.
- The total number of contacts exposed to the patient diagnosed in Nigeria prior to isolation.
- The efficacy of candidate vaccines such as Tumaini against the Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain.