Ebola outbreak expands in DR Congo as imported cases are confirmed in Kenya and Nigeria.
Is it spreading beyond DR Congo?
Spread confirmed
As of 25 October 2026, the World Health Organization and national authorities confirmed imported cases of Ebola in Kenya and Nigeria linked to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kenyan officials reported two deaths with no community spread, while Nigerian authorities reported one isolated case.
Sources: Al JazeeraReutersECDCKey figures
| Figure | Value | Basis | As of | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ebola deaths in Kenya Reported by Kenyan health authorities; the second victim was a relative of the index patient. | 2 | Official | Sources: AfricanewsBBCAl JazeeraAssociated Press | |
| Confirmed cases in Nigeria Reported by the Nigerian Ministry of Health; the patient is a Swiss national who traveled through Uganda. | 1 | Official | Sources: ReutersAFPAfricanews |
Who says what
| Who | Says | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Health Organization | Warned that Africa faces a complex Ebola outbreak across multiple countries and confirmed the launch of a vaccine trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. | Sources: AfricanewsAl Jazeera | |
| Nigerian Ministry of Health | Stated that the country's first Ebola case remains isolated and genomic sequencing links the strain to the index case identified in Kenya. | Sources: RFIReutersAfricanews | |
| Kenyan Health Authorities | Confirmed a second Ebola death but reassured the public that there is no evidence of community transmission in Kenya. | Sources: Al JazeeraBBCDaily Nation (Kenya) | |
| Ugandan Authorities | Ordered a 21-day quarantine for citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, requiring returnees to cover quarantine expenses. | Sources: Al JazeeraAssociated PressABC News |
Summary
As of 25 October 2026, the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has recorded imported cases in neighboring countries. The World Health Organization reported 9,704 confirmed cases and 4,687 deaths across 66 health zones in eight provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as of October 20.
Cross-border cases have been confirmed in Kenya and Nigeria, with genetic analysis linking the Nigerian case to the index patient in Kenya and suggesting potential transmission or exposure while traveling through Uganda. In response, Uganda has ordered a 21-day mandatory quarantine for citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Response efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo face operational challenges, including field worker strikes over unpaid allowances in Ituri province, a three-day drinking water shortage complicating hygiene in Butembo, and violent attacks against health workers in Tshopo province. Clinical trials evaluating the MATUMAINI Ebola vaccine have officially launched in Bunia.
Timeline
- WHO and health partners launch a clinical trial in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, for the MATUMAINI vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain.Sources: Al JazeeraLe MondeRadio OkapiActualite.cd
- Nigerian health officials state genetic analysis links Nigeria's first Ebola case to Kenya's index case.Sources: RFIReuters
- Kenyan officials report the country's second Ebola death, involving a close relative of the first patient.Sources: Al JazeeraAssociated PressBBC
- An Ebola response worker is killed during an attack by local youth in Bafwasende, Tshopo province.Sources: Actualite.cdRadio Okapi
- Uganda tightens border controls and mandates a paid 21-day quarantine for travelers returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Sources: Al JazeeraAssociated PressABC News
- Ebola response workers in the Nia-Nia health zone of Ituri province launch an indefinite strike over unpaid wages.Sources: Actualite.cdRadio Okapi
Still unknown
- Whether undetected transmission of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus has occurred in Uganda following cases detected in Kenya and Nigeria.
- How long worker strikes over unpaid allowances in Ituri province will interrupt surveillance and containment activities.
- The extent to which drinking water shortages in Butembo will impact community infection prevention measures.