#Kenya: #Bundibugyo Virus Disease Cluster of Cases - Day 17: No New Cases, All Contacts Traced, and First Contacts Set To Return Home (MoH, Oct. 22 '26)

{From the Social Media Page}

MINISTRY OF HEALTH | REPUBLIC OF KENYA | OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR HEALTH | PRESS RELEASE

DAY 17: NO NEW CASES, ALL CONTACTS TRACED, AND FIRST CONTACTS SET TO RETURN HOME

Nairobi, 22nd October 2026

    Today marks Day 17 since Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease) on 06th October 2026, and the country's  response continues to make steady progress. 

    All the 14 samples collected and tested from various alerts in different  parts of the country over the last 24 hours were negative for BVD.

    The total number of cases confirmed remains nine (9), including the  index case, who died on 05th October, 2026. 

    All the cases belong to a single cluster, with no evidence of community spread.

    Our patients are stable and progressing well. 

    The eight patients undergoing treatment in our designated isolation  facilities, four family members and four health workers who cared for the first  case, are stable and responding well to treatment from our infectious disease  specialists. 

    We look forward to each of them completing treatment, recovering fully,  and being discharged home to their families.

    Every contact has been traced, at home and abroad. 

    All the 135 contacts associated with the first case have been traced (100%),  both within Kenya and internationally, and the relevant health authorities of  the countries concerned have been formally informed in line with the International  Health Regulations (2005). 

    We thank our national and county contact-tracing teams, families,  communities and our development partners for this significant achievement.

    What we know about how the infections occurred. Our epidemiologists  have mapped the exposure dates, quarantine dates, and symptom onset of every  case. Each patient was in close contact with the first case between 3rd and 5th  October, before entering quarantine, and each fell ill within the known incubation  period of Ebola (2-21 days). This pattern is consistent with infection from the first  case. It also shows that no infection has been traced to transmission within our  quarantine facilities, where infection prevention and control measures have been  strengthened further. 

    Each contact's 21-day monitoring period is counted from their own last  exposure, and anyone exposed to a later confirmed case is monitored from that  date thereof.

    Surveillance and testing continue nationwide. Enhanced surveillance  continues in health facilities and communities across all counties. 

    At points of entry, 709,093 travellers have been screened, including 3,107 in  the last 24 hours. A total of 461 samples have been tested since the start of the  outbreak in May 2026. 

    Going home this weekend. From Sunday, 25th October, the first contacts to  complete 21 days of monitoring and who will be in good health, will be released  from quarantine and reunited with their families. Their sacrifice has helped keep  Kenya safe, and the nation is grateful to them and to those who stood by them. As  they return, we ask neighbours, workplaces and communities to receive them  warmly. They have passed the full monitoring period without falling ill and cannot  pass the infection to anybody.

    Life in Kenya continues as normal: travel, trade and public gatherings are  not restricted. Every Kenyan can help bring this outbreak to a close. We ask you  to keep following the guidance of the Ministry of Health and to cooperate fully with  the response teams. Anyone with fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint  pains, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding should seek help  immediately at the nearest health facility, by calling 719 free of charge, or through  Jali our WhatsApp chatbot on 0700 719 719. Let us stand with our  patients, contacts and health workers with compassion, not stigma. The end of  this outbreak is within reach, and together we will get there.

Dr. Patrick Amoth, CBS | DIRECTOR GENERAL

Source: 

Link: https://www.facebook.com/MinstryofHealthKE?__tn__=%2Cd-UC*F

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#Fatal #encephalitis caused by #Shamonda virus Europe 1 (SHAV-EU1) in a patient with a severely weakened immune system, #France, 2026

 

Abstract

New Shamonda virus clades (SHAV-EU1 and SHAV-EU2) emerged in Europe in summer 2026, primarily affecting cattle. We report the first human infection with SHAV-EU1: a French patient with a severely weakened immune system developed fatal encephalitis in September 2026, 1 month after their allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Metatranscriptomics detected SHAV-EU1 in cerebrospinal fluid, confirmed by RT-PCR. Biopsies from central nervous system showed high viral loads. Investigations revealed SHAV-EU1 in serum, respiratory and stool samples at least for 2 months before encephalitis onset.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.42.2600883

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#France, #Shamonda virus: first detection in #humans (Min. of Health, Oct. 22 '26)

 

Health authorities have reported that a patient with severe immunosuppression, treated at the Hospices Civils de Lyon for a serious illness, was infected with the Shamonda virus. The patient died in early October. Clinical, biological, and epidemiological investigations are still underway, following a "One Health" approach that combines expertise in human, animal, and environmental health. Based on current knowledge about this virus, no health risk to the general population has been identified to date.

    Shamonda virus is an orthobunyavirus transmitted to animals by biting midges of the genus Culicoides. 

    It was first detected in Nigeria in the mid-1960s and has been reported sporadically in cattle in West, East, and Southern Africa, as well as in Japan. 

    In the summer of 2026, it was identified for the first time in Europe, including France, on cattle farms. 

    Cattle are considered the primary host among the animal species that can be infected. 

    Sporadic cases of infection in small ruminants and equines were also identified this summer in France.

    Until now, the Shamonda virus was considered non-transmissible to humans. 

    This patient's infection with the Shamonda virus thus constitutes the first documented and reported detection of the virus in humans.

    At this stage of the investigations, the hypothesis is that of vector contamination of the case, by the bite of a Culicoides type midge in the East of France, territory reporting circulation of the virus in animals in spring / summer 2026.

    Furthermore, according to investigations already carried out, the cerebral complications observed in the immunocompromised patient before his death were very likely linked to infection with the Shamonda virus.

    Despite decades of circulation of the Shamonda virus in Africa and Asia, no human cases had been documented until now. 

    This is therefore an exceptional case occurring in a severely immunocompromised patient. 

    As a reminder, and based on current knowledge about this virus, no health risk to the general population has been identified to date.

    The French health authorities have also notified international health bodies, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

    Clinical, biological and epidemiological investigations are continuing in conjunction with expertise in human, animal and environmental health.

Source: 

Link: https://sante.gouv.fr/actualites-presse/presse/communiques-de-presse/article/virus-shamonda-une-premiere-detection-chez-l-etre-humain

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#Latvia - #Influenza A #H5 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

 

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    ° Birds tested in frame of EFSA call project for Establishing capacities for active surveillance of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in Europe.

        ° Northern Shoveler (WILD)

        ° Common Teal (WILD)

        ° Eurasian Wigeon (WILD)

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7929

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#Italy, #Human #Infection with #WNV & #Usutu Virus #Surveillance, Weekly Report (ISS, Oct. 22 '26): 777 cases and 61 deaths so far

{Summary}

(...)

    ° Since the beginning of the 2026 arboviral season and as of Oct. 21 '26,  777 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection have been reported (they were 770 in last week report); 

    ° Of these: 

        § 414 were West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND) (including five imported cases: 1 from Maldives, 1 France, 1 Belgium, 1 Greece and 1 the Netherlands), 

        § 95 asymptomatic cases among blood donors, 

        § 262 cases of West Nile Fever, 

        § 5 unspecified cases, 

        § 1 asymptomatic case.

    ° 88 Provinces in 20 Regions had confirmed WNV circulation,

    ° 61 deaths have been recorded in WNND cases. The Case-Fatality Rate is thus far at 14.7% (it was 19.2% in 2025).

    ° This season so far 19 cases of human infection with Usutu virus were confirmed (8 in Lombardy, 1 Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 1 Emilia-Romagna, 2 Marche, 4 Latium, 1 Piedmont, 2 Veneto).

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Source: 

Link: https://www.epicentro.iss.it/westnile/bollettino/Bollettino_WND_2026_13.pdf

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#Australia, #H5 avian #influenza events in #wildlife (Dept. of Agriculture, Oct. 22 '26)

 

{Extract}

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Event data

    ° 716 Positive events

    ° 66,829 Hotline reports

    As of 4pm AEST, 21 October 2026, Australia has 716 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

        § 10 in Western Australia (WA)

        § 332 in South Australia (SA)

        § 73 in New South Wales (NSW)

        § 2 in Queensland (QLD)

        § 245 in Victoria (VIC)

        § 53 in Tasmania (TAS)^

        § 1 in Other Territories#

    {^} Includes events on Macquarie Island

    {#} Jervis Bay Territory (Commonwealth jurisdiction)

    As H5 bird flu is confirmed in more locations and species in Australia it will not be necessary to continue testing all species in known areas of transmission, or to test every animal involved in an investigation. 

    Reporting will be targeted to provide a clear picture of the national H5 bird flu situation in wildlife in Australia and key developments.

Data disclaimer

    Data reflects information provided by state and territory governments to the Australian Government since 20 June 2026. The Australian Government publishes this information for national reporting purposes. Responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and currency of the data remains with the jurisdiction. Due to differences in reporting timing, information on the national dashboard may differ from information published on state or territory government websites.

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Source: 

Link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu/latest-data#h1_bird_flu

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#Genetic modification of primary #airway epithelial cell cultures defines MX1 as a #barrier for zoonotic #influenza A viruses in the #human respiratory epithelium

 

Abstract

The antiviral innate immune response is a major species barrier that emerging viruses must overcome to infect and transmit efficiently in new hosts. In humans, the interferon-stimulated MX1 gene encodes the antiviral MX1 protein, which restricts zoonotic influenza A viruses (IAVs). Resistance to MX1 is considered a key feature of human-adapted IAVs and a potential determinant of zoonotic and pandemic risk. However, MX1-mediated restriction and viral escape have mostly been investigated in cell lines and animal models, which incompletely recapitulate virus-host interactions in the human airway epithelium, representing the primary site of IAV replication. Although primary human airway epithelial cell (hAEC) cultures, such as airway organoids and air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures, provide a physiologically relevant model, their use in studying MX1 restriction has been limited by challenges in achieving efficient and reliable genetic modification. Here, we used engineered virus-like particles (eVLPs) to deliver Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoprotein complexes into primary hAECs and disrupt MX1 expression. This approach generated MX1-knockout airway organoids and organoid-derived hAEC ALI cultures with >90% genomic-level editing efficiency and near-complete loss of MX1 protein, while preserving epithelial differentiation at the air-liquid interface. MX1 knockout in hAEC ALI cultures had only a minor effect on the replication kinetics of the human-adapted H1N1pdm09 strain. By contrast, MX1 knockout markedly impaired interferon lambda-mediated restriction of the zoonotic bovine H5N1/Texas and avian H7N9/Anhui strains, resulting in viral titers up to 3-4 logs TCID50 higher than in MX1-competent cultures. These findings provide direct evidence that MX1 restricts zoonotic IAVs in primary human airway epithelium. Our study establishes a biologically relevant platform for assessing the sensitivity of emerging IAVs to a key antiviral host factor and thereby informs evaluations into their zoonotic and pandemic risk.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

Swiss National Science Foundation, https://ror.org/00yjd3n13, 310030_207675

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.10.19.759965

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#Bundibugyo Virus Disease #Outbreak in #DRC, #Kenya, #Nigeria - Weekly #Report No. 23, Data as of 19 Oct. '26 (WHO, summary)

 

{Summary}

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Event description

    The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak is becoming increasingly  challenging, marked by an expanding cluster of cases linked  to the imported index case in Kenya, further geographic expansion into a new  province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the confirmation of a case  in Nigeria. 

    These developments highlight the widening international dimension  and the growing complexity of the outbreak, particularly in the  Democratic Republic of the Congo, where escalating insecurity, population  displacement and restricted humanitarian access threaten to further undermine  surveillance and response operations.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

    As of 19 October 2026, the BVD outbreak in the Democratic Republic of  the Congo has affected 66 health zones across eight provinces, following  the recent expansion into Wapinda Health Zone in Nord-Ubangi Province. 

    Since External Situation Report #22, an additional 572 confirmed cases and 265 confirmed deaths have been reported, bringing the cumulative total to  9637 confirmed cases, including 4646 confirmed deaths [crude case fatality ratio (CFR) 48.2%].

    Transmission remains highly heterogeneous across affected areas. Ituri  continues to account for the largest proportion of cumulative confirmed  cases (72.7%), although its relative contribution is declining, while substantial  transmission persists in Nord-Kivu and Haut-Uélé.

    National daily incidence increased steadily from May, reaching its highest  levels in late July and mid-August, before fluctuating at persistently high  levels through September. Following a decline in late September,  incidence rebounded in early October. 

    The most recent seven-day moving average indicates a modest upward trend, suggesting renewed intensification of transmission. Provincial trends  remain heterogeneous. Ituri shows a slight recent rebound despite an overall  decline from its August peak, while Nord-Kivu continues to experience elevated  but fluctuating transmission. 

    Haut-Uélé remains relatively stable with a slight increase, and Tshopo  shows renewed upward activity. Transmission remains sporadic in Bas-Uélé, with  newly reported cases in Nord-Ubangi, while Sud-Kivu and Sud-Ubangi report no recent transmission in the last 21 days (Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1. Daily national trend in confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease cases, with  seven-day moving average, by date of report, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as of 19 October 2026

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Trend Analysis (21-day comparison):

    During the most recent 21-day period (29 September – 19 October 2026),  a total of 1466 confirmed cases were reported nationally, compared with 1328  cases during the preceding 21 days (8 – 28 September), representing an increase  of 138 cases (+10.4%). 

    Provincial trends remain heterogeneous. Cases increased in Ituri from 757  to 785 (+3.7%), accounting for 53.5% of national cases during the latest  period. In Nord-Kivu, cases increased from 460 to 564 (+22.6%), accounting for  38.5% of national cases while in Haut-Uélé cases decreased slightly from 82 to 81  (−1.2%), accounting for 5.5% of national cases.

    During the same period, a total of 692 confirmed deaths were reported  nationally, compared with 644 deaths during the preceding 21 days (8 – 28  September), representing an increase of 48 deaths (+7.5%). Deaths increased  from 302 to 374 (+23.8%) in Ituri, from 213 to 269 (+26.3%) in Nord-Kivu, from  35 to 38 (+8.6%) in Haut-Uélé, and from seven to ten (+42.9%) in Tshopo.  The increase in confirmed deaths, particularly in Ituri and Nord-Kivu,  reflects a worsening mortality burden alongside rising national case incidence.

(...)

    Transmission remained active in more than three-quarters of all health  zones affected since the start of the outbreak. 

    Of the 66 health zones affected to date, 50 (75.8%) reported at least one  new confirmed case during the most recent 21 days (29 September – 19 October  2026). Case incidence increased in 31 health zones while 21 health zones reported a decreased in cases comparing the two periods. The largest absolute  increase occurred in Mandima, Ituri (87 to 216 cases; +148.3%), while  substantial increases were also observed in Mambasa (12 to 45; +275.0%) and  several health zones in Nord-Kivu, particularly Mabalako (22 to 47; +113.6%),  Oicha (17 to 28; +64.7%) and Beni (158 to 194; +22.8%) (Figure 4).

    There were also 16 health zones without a new case in the last 21 days.  These include Adja, Ariwara, Aungba, Boga, Drodro, Kambala and Mahagi in Ituri;  Goma in Nord-Kivu; Dungu and Gombari in Haut-Uélé; Lubunga and Wanie-Rukula in Tshopo; Miti-Murhesa in Sud-Kivu; Buta and Viadana in Bas-Uélé; and Bulu in Sud-Ubangi.

(...)

    Weekly confirmed deaths (Figure 6) declined by 5.2%, from 233 during  5–11 October to 221 during 12–18 October 2026, reversing the upward trend  observed over the preceding two weeks. Community deaths decreased from 157  to 135 (−14.0%), while deaths in treatment facilities increased from 76 to 86  (+13.2%). Consequently, the proportion of deaths occurring in the community  declined from 67.4% to 61.1%. Despite the overall reduction, more than six in ten  confirmed deaths continued to occur in the community, highlighting persistent  challenges in early case detection, timely referral and access to treatment.

(...)

Kenya

    Since the previous report, Kenya has confirmed eight additional cases of BVD, bringing the cumulative total to nine cases, including one death (CFR: 11.1%). 

    

    All eight new cases were epidemiologically linked to the imported index  case and were already under quarantine when they developed symptoms. 

    The secondary cases included four family members and four hospital  staff.

    Of the nine confirmed cases, seven were male and two were female,  with ages ranging from 24 to 65 years. 

    Eight patients are currently in isolation and receiving treatment at two  designated facilities. All are reportedly in stable condition.

    A total of 135 contacts have been listed, comprising 46 airport staff, 45  hospital staff, 26 passengers, 14 relatives and four flight crew members. 

    Of these, eight have tested positive for BVD (four relatives and four  hospital staff). 

    Eight passengers travelled outside Kenya, and the authorities in their  destination countries were notified. Among the 119 contacts remaining under  follow-up in Kenya, 118 (99.2%) are in quarantine, while one passenger remains  outside quarantine.

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Nigeria

    On 20 October 2026, the Federal Ministry of Health of Nigeria announced a confirmed case of BVD in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 

    The case involved a woman who reportedly travel from Uganda to  Nigeria on 3 October 2026. She developed symptoms on 7 October 2026 and  sought care at a private health facility on 11 October 2026. 

    Following clinical deterioration, laboratory testing confirmed BVD on 20  October 2026. The patient is currently in isolation and receiving treatment. 

    A total of 44 close contacts have so far been identified, including  healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts. Additional  investigation is underway to establish her travel itinerary, including all those who may have been potentially exposed while the case was symptomatic. 

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Situation interpretation

    The BVD outbreak remains at a critical juncture, with sustained  transmission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and international  spread highlighting persistent gaps in outbreak containment. 

    In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, escalating insecurity,  displacement and restricted humanitarian access are further challenging response  operations and increasing the risk of undetected transmission. 

    In Kenya, the identification of all secondary cases among known, quarantined contacts is encouraging, suggesting that transmission  chains remain traceable, although continued surveillance is essential to detect any  unrecognized spread. 

    In Nigeria, the prolonged period between symptom onset and confirmation  raises concern about potentially undetected exposures and secondary  transmission, requiring urgent retrospective investigation and intensified  surveillance. 

    Priorities should focus on targeted interventions in transmission hotspots, restoring operational access in insecure areas,  strengthening early detection and rapid containment, and intensifying coordinated  cross-border surveillance and information sharing to prevent further  international spread.

Source: 

Link: https://www.afro.who.int/countries/nigeria/publication/ebola-bundibugyo-virus-disease-outbreak-democratic-republic-congo-uganda-weekly-external-situation

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#Epidemiology of #MERS-CoV in #Saudi Arabia, 2012–2025: a nationwide surveillance analysis

 

Abstract

Background

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), caused by MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV), is a severe zoonotic respiratory illness first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Dromedary camels are the recognised reservoir, with human transmission occurring through animal exposure and, less commonly, person-to-person spread, particularly in healthcare settings.

Objective

To characterise all laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV cases reported in Saudi Arabia from September 2012 to August 2025, examine trends across four periods defined by suspected-case definitions, and identify factors independently associated with mortality.

Methods

We analysed laboratory-confirmed cases in the national surveillance database by period and probable infection source. Case-fatality ratios (CFRs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and unadjusted odds ratios were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression assessed independent mortality associations using a prespecified model including period, age, sex, and infection source, and a fuller model additionally considering nationality, comorbidities, and pregnancy. Seasonality of primary cases was assessed using an annual harmonic term.

Results

Among 2,219 cases, 1,545 (70%) were male, 1,566 (71%) Saudi nationals, and 608 (27%) aged ≥65 years. Overall, 1,211 (55%) were primary cases, including 172 (14%) reporting camel contact; 737 (33%) were healthcare-associated and 271 (12%) household- or community-associated. There were 867 deaths (CFR, 39%; 95% CI, 37%–41%). CFR declined from 65% in the earliest period to 32% in the most recent, although changing testing eligibility and ascertainment limit temporal comparisons. Older adults had the highest crude CFR. In the prespecified model, healthcare-associated infection among patients was associated with higher odds of death (aOR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.15–2.65), while odds were lower among healthcare workers (aOR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.05–0.17) and household contacts (aOR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.18–0.48). No consistent seasonality was observed.

Conclusions

MERS-CoV epidemiology in Saudi Arabia reflects persistent zoonotic spillover, episodic healthcare-associated transmission, and substantial mortality, particularly among older adults. Sustained One Health surveillance, rapid detection, and rigorous infection prevention and control remain essential.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taag094

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#Nigeria, Ministry of Health confirmed the first imported case of #Bundibugyo Virus Disease in a traveler from #Uganda (Min. Health, Oct. 21 '26)

{Ministry of Health of Nigeria Instagram Page}

PRESS STATEMENT  | FG CONFIRMS EBOLA DISEASE CASE IN FCT, ACTIVATES PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE

Abuja, Nigeria | 20 October 2026

    The Federal Government of Nigeria confirm one case of Ebola disease in the  Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following laboratory confirmation today, 20  October 2026. 

    The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight  from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received  care for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed. She is currently in  isolation and receiving medical care.

    The Federal Minister of Health and Social Welfare and NCDC are working closely with the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities to  contain the infection and prevent further spread.

    Contact tracing has commenced with 44 close contacts identified  presently, with public health teams identifying and monitoring people who may  have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts. Surveillance has been intensified, and the hospital is receiving  immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

    The FG calls on all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to be on high alert. Healthcare workers must maintain a high index of suspicion,  promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention  and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health  authorities.

What Nigerians Should Know and Do

    Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone  who is sick with the disease or has died from it, or through contact with contaminated materials. A person with Ebola cannot spread the disease  before symptoms begin.

    We advise everyone to:

        1. Remain calm but vigilant. There is no need for panic.

        2. Practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids  of anyone suspected to have Ebola.

        3. Watch for symptoms, including fever, severe weakness, headache,  vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.

        4. Report any possible exposure immediately, even if you feel well. If  you develop symptoms, avoid close contact with others and call public health  authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.

        5. Cooperate with public health teams. Anyone contacted during contact  tracing, including relevant airline passengers, should provide the  necessary information and follow public health advice.

        6. Avoid rumours and stigma. Share only verified information from official  health authorities.

Our Assurance to Nigerians

    Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and we have the experience  and public health systems to respond to this case. However, containing Ebola  requires everyone to play their part.

    The Federal Government, FCT authorities and other partners are working  together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public.  Investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to provide accurate and timely  information. We urge Nigerians to remain calm, stay vigilant and cooperate with  public health authorities. Early detection, prompt reporting and everyone's  cooperation are critical to preventing further spread.

    The Government of Nigeria through the Presidential Taskforce on EVD  and NCDC will continue to provide updates.

    NCDC free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For  information or to report a suspected case, please call NCDC toll-free number  6232. 

Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, CON | Coordinating Minister | Strategic Communications 

health.gov.ng

Source: 

Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DeuendPDfyn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&obrf=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==&srtk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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#Australia, #H5 avian #influenza events in #wildlife (Dept. of Agriculture, Oct. 21 '26)

 

{Extract}

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Event data

    ° 715 Positive events

    ° 66,411 Hotline reports

    As of 4pm AEST, 20 October 2026, Australia has 715 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

        § 10 in Western Australia (WA)

        § 332 in South Australia (SA)

        § 72 in New South Wales (NSW)

        § 2 in Queensland (QLD)

        § 245 in Victoria (VIC)

        § 53 in Tasmania (TAS)*

        § 1 in Other Territories#

    {*} Includes events on Macquarie Island

    {#} Jervis Bay Territory (Commonwealth jurisdiction)

    As H5 bird flu is confirmed in more locations and species in Australia it will not be necessary to continue testing all species in known areas of transmission, or to test every animal involved in an investigation. 

    Reporting will be targeted to provide a clear picture of the national H5 bird flu situation in wildlife in Australia and key developments.

Data disclaimer

    Data reflects information provided by state and territory governments to the Australian Government since 20 June 2026. The Australian Government publishes this information for national reporting purposes. Responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and currency of the data remains with the jurisdiction. Due to differences in reporting timing, information on the national dashboard may differ from information published on state or territory government websites.

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Source: 

Link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu/latest-data#h1_bird_flu

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#Kenya Ministry of Health announced the confirmation of one additional #human case of #Bundibugyo Virus Disease, total so far: 9 Cases (Min. Health, Oct. 20 '26)

 

{Via Kenya Ministry of Health Social Media Page}

MINISTRY OF HEALTH | REPUBLIC OF KENYA | OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR  GENERAL FOR HEALTH | PRESS RELEASE

    ALL NINE (9) CASES IN ONE KNOWN CLUSTER: PATIENTS IMPROVING AS FIRST CONTACTS SET TO COMPLETE QUARANTINE

    Nairobi, Tuesday, October 20, 2026

    Kenya's Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease) response continues to hold firm. 

    The Ministry of Health confirms one further case of the disease, bringing  the total to nine (9) confirmed cases, including the first case, who  died. 

    The new case is a known contact of the index case and was already in  quarantine when he fell ill. 

    All nine cases belong to one cluster, and as today there is no evidence of  transmission outside this group.

    The ninth case, a 24-year-old man is also a close family member of the  first case, was confirmed on 19th October. 

    He was isolated at the first sign of illness, tested and started on treatment  immediately upon confirmation of his positive test result.

    Our patients are improving and responding well to treatment. 

    All eight (8) patients are receiving appropriate supportive care from our dedicated clinical teams. 

    All the patients have improved markedly and are currently stable under  strict observation and treatment. 

    In addition, we have received 500 doses of medicines to support treatment of all confirmed cases. 

    We are grateful to our partners for the solidarity and collaboration in our  response and remain hopeful of good outcomes for every patient under care.

    Contact tracing continues to widen. As each new case is confirmed, their  contacts are added to the tracing list, and this explains the growing number of contacts. 

    Today, 134 of 135 contacts (99.3%) have been traced and quarantined,  far above the global benchmark of 85%. This progress reflects the dedication of  our national and county contact-tracing teams, closer cooperation with families  and communities, and the support and solidarity of our development partners. 

    We  sincerely thank all Kenyans for this collaboration, and continue to call for  your full cooperation with our response teams.

    Counties and hospitals are better equipped. The Ministry has distributed  supplies to 12 very high-risk and 16 high-risk counties, including the appropriate  personal protective equipment such as gowns, gloves, face shields and boots,  sample collection and transport kits, diagnostic kits and thermometers. These  commodities enable county rapid response teams to detect, isolate and safely test  any suspected cases promptly. 

    In  addition, a dedicated laboratory has been set up at the Kenyatta  National Hospital Infectious Disease Unit to handle routine tests for patients under  Ebola care, so that the hospital's laboratory is contaminated with Ebola  positive samples or overwhelmed and can continue serving all other patients  without disruption of testing services

    Our safeguards are holding. We continue to assess and monitor the infection prevention and control measures in our quarantine and treatment  centers and continuously address any gaps as they arise to ensure the protection  of healthcare workers as they continue offering the much-needed response  services: there has been no spread of infection within quarantine facilities, and  every health worker caring for patients is fully protected.

    Kenya remains open, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public  gatherings. We ask every Kenyan to keep following the guidance of the Ministry of  Health and to cooperate fully with the response. If you or anyone you know  has fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea  or unexplained bleeding, report it at once at the nearest health facility or on the toll-free line 719.

    A milestone is now in sight. Contacts who entered quarantine on 6th of  October and remain well will complete their 21-day monitoring period and begin  returning home from this coming weekend, 25th October, having successfully  completed quarantine. 

    We thank them and their families for their patience, their patriotism and  their contribution to protecting not only their families and communities, but also  the nation and the wider world. When they return, we appeal to communities to  welcome them home with love and open arms: having completed 21 days without  symptoms, they pose no risk of infection to anyone.

    Together, we are on course to bring this outbreak to a complete end.

Dr. Patrick Amoth, CBS | DIRECTOR GENERAL

Source: 

Link: https://www.facebook.com/MinstryofHealthKE

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#UK - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (Inf. with) ( #poultry ) - Immediate notification

 

{Extract}

(...)

    {England} 

    Commercial, 32k bird laying flock (73 weeks of age). 

    Positive test for HPAI H5N1, clinical signs presented prior to testing.

(...)

Source:  

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7918

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#Albania - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

 

{Extract}

(...)

    {Durres Region} 

    As a part pf the surveillance programme implemented in high risk areas, sample were collected from {backyard reared} ducks and geese, none of the which exhibited clinical signs. 

    The reference lab confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus. 

    All the necessary measures have been implemented on farm in accordance with the CP and in line with the commission delegated regulation 2020/687.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7917

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Avian #Influenza #Report - October 11 - 17 '26 (Wk 42) (HK CHP, Oct. 20 '26): 1 New Human Case of #H5N1 Virus in the #US; 2 New #H9N2 Virus Cases in #China

 

{Excerpts}

(...)

Avian influenza A(H5N1)

    ° {USA} Washington:

        § The patient is currently isolating at home and has not experienced severe illness or required hospitalisation.

        § The case had exposure to dairy cattle infected with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus at a local dairy farm.

        § The Washington state recorded their first detection of avian influenza  A(H5N1) in two dairy farms on October 8, 2026.

Avian influenza A(H9N2)

    °{China} Guizhou Province:

        § A four-year-old boy with onset on September 20, 2026.

    ° Henan Province:

        § A 68-year-old man with onset on September 17, 2026.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk42.pdf

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