PHEIC · Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV)

Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak 2026

Since the publication of the previous Disease Outbreak News on 8 October 2026, the Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak has expanded geographically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as in the African Region, with Kenya and Nigeria reporting imported cases. Sustained, high-level transmission continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of 20 October 2026, a total of 9704 confirmed cases, including 4687 deaths (crude case fatality ratio: 48.3%), have been reported across 66 health zones in eight provinces. The high proportion of deaths occurring in communities continues to highlight challenges in early case detection and timely access to appropriate care. Of the 482 deaths reported since the previous update, 307 occurred in communities and 175 in treatment centres. On 6 October 2026, the Ministry of Health of Kenya reported the first laboratory-confirmed imported case of BVD in Kenya in an individual who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Kenya via Uganda. As of 20 October 2026, a total of nine cases of BVD including one death, has been reported in Kenya. The eight additional cases are all known contacts of the first imported case. There is currently no evidence of wider community transmission. On 20 October 2026, Nigeria confirmed an imported case in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja in a patient who had travelled from Uganda to the country. The patient is currently in isolation and receiving medical care. Further investigations are ongoing to better understand the complete travel history and the possible source of exposure. These developments underscore the need for sustained readiness in the region, including cross-border surveillance, points of entry monitoring, timely case detection and coordinated preparedness and response measures. WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, affected countries.