Bundibugyo Ebola trial starts in DR Congo as cases are confirmed in Kenya and Nigeria
Is it spreading beyond DR Congo?
Spread confirmed
As of 24 October 2026, the World Health Organization and national health authorities have confirmed imported cases of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain in Kenya and Nigeria. Kenyan officials report no evidence of community spread, while Nigerian health authorities report that their single confirmed case remains isolated.
Sources: World Health OrganizationAl JazeeraAfricanewsRFIKey figures
| Figure | Value | Basis | As of | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmed Ebola cases in DR Congo Reported by the World Health Organization across 66 health zones in eight provinces. | 9,704 | Official | Sources: World Health Organization | |
| Confirmed Ebola deaths in DR Congo Reported by the World Health Organization. | 4,687 | Official | Sources: World Health Organization | |
| Confirmed Ebola deaths in Kenya Reported by Kenyan health officials; the second deceased patient was a 65-year-old relative of the first case. | 2 | Official | Sources: RFIBBCAl JazeeraAssociated Press | |
| Confirmed Ebola cases in Nigeria Reported by the Nigerian Ministry of Health in a traveler returning from Uganda; genetic analysis links the virus to Kenya's index case. | 1 | Official | Sources: RFIReutersAfricanewsWorld Health Organization |
Who says what
| Who | Says | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Health Organization | Warned that the Ebola outbreak in Africa has become more complex following expansion in DR Congo and spread to Kenya and Nigeria, while supporting the start of candidate vaccine clinical trials in DR Congo. | Sources: Al JazeeraWorld Health OrganizationAl Jazeera 2Le Monde | |
| Nigerian Ministry of Health | Confirmed one isolated case of Ebola, reported that genetic sequencing links it to Kenya's index case, and urged public calm while airport screening was reinforced. | Sources: RFIReutersAfricanewsAfricanews 2 | |
| Kenyan Health Authorities | Confirmed a second Ebola death involving a close relative of the index case, while maintaining there is no evidence of community spread and contacts are completing quarantine. | Sources: RFIBBCAl JazeeraAssociated PressUN News | |
| Swiss Federal Authorities | Stated that the Ebola patient diagnosed in Nigeria is a Swiss national who had not traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. | Sources: AFPThe EastAfrican |
Summary
As of 24 October 2026, the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus continues to expand in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while cases have also been detected in Kenya and Nigeria.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, official data from the World Health Organization shows 9,704 confirmed cases and 4,687 deaths across 66 health zones. Response efforts include the launch of a clinical trial in Bunia for the Tumaini vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain, though field workers in parts of Ituri province have raised labor concerns over unpaid allowances.
Regionally, Kenya has reported two deaths from Ebola with no reported community transmission, while Nigeria has confirmed one isolated case in a traveler. Genetic analysis conducted by Nigerian health officials links the virus strain in Nigeria to the initial patient identified in Kenya.
Timeline
- WHO records a cumulative total of 9,704 confirmed Ebola cases and 4,687 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Sources: World Health Organization
- A clinical trial evaluating the Tumaini vaccine against the Bundibugyo Ebola strain begins in Bunia, Ituri province, DR Congo.Sources: AfricanewsRadio OkapiLe MondeActualite.cd
- Kenya reports its second Ebola death, a 65-year-old relative of the first patient, as the first group of contacts completes quarantine.Sources: BBCAssociated PressUN News
- Nigeria confirms an isolated Ebola case in a Swiss national returning from Uganda, with genetic analysis linking the strain to the Kenyan index case.Sources: RFIReutersAFPAfricanews
- Ebola response field workers in Nia-Nia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo suspend activities over unpaid bonus arrears.Sources: Radio Okapi
Still unknown
- Whether the Ebola patients identified in Kenya and Nigeria crossed paths during travel in Uganda.
- The extent of potential undetected transmission in Uganda given transit histories reported for the cases in Kenya and Nigeria.
- The potential impact of field worker labor disputes in Ituri province on containment operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.