#Ebola disease caused by #Bundibugyo virus - #DRC (#WHO D.O.N., Oct. 8 '26)

 

Situation at a glance

    On 5 October 2026, WHO was informed about a laboratory-confirmed imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) in Kenya with travel history from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

    The patient travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Kenya through Uganda. 

    The patient was hospitalized and treated in Kenya but subsequently died on 5 October. 

    Public health response measures have been initiated in Kenya and Uganda, including contact tracing. 

    Since the last Disease Outbreak News was published on 25 September 2026, the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded to one additional health zone, Alimbongo health zone in North Kivu, adding to the geographic footprint of an outbreak that remains concentrated in the eastern part of the country. 

    As of 6 October 2026, the country has recorded 8728 confirmed cases and 4205 confirmed deaths, corresponding to a crude case fatality ratio (CFR) of 48.2%. 

    The cases have been reported from 64 health zones across seven provinces out of 26 provinces of the country: Bas-Uélé, Haut-Uélé, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Sud Ubangi and Tshopo. 

    At the national level, transmission remains intense, although the burden is unevenly distributed. 

    In some areas, there are clear signs that the epidemic is slowing down, although in others it continues to grow. 

    Over the past three completed epidemiological weeks, new weekly cases nationwide have increased by 2.5% from 475 to 487, while new weekly deaths remain stable at 224 compared to 222. 

    The persistently high mortality, together with the large number of deaths occurring outside treatment centres, continues to point to delays in identifying illness and reaching appropriate care. 

    Since the last Disease Outbreak News, 264 of the 372 reported deaths occurred in communities and 108 in treatment centres. 

    On 1 October, the Netherlands reported the medical evacuation of a healthcare worker who tested positive by PCR for Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

     At the time of reporting, the patient has been undergoing treatment in the Netherlands.

Description of the situation

    Since the previous Disease Outbreak News was published on 25 September 2026, an additional 775 confirmed cases, including 379 confirmed deaths, have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  

    In the most recent 24-hour period, as of 6 October, 62 new confirmed cases were reported, with Ituri accounting for 33 cases and North Kivu for 30. 

    No new cases were reported in Bas-Uélé, South Kivu or Sud-Ubangi during that period. Across the preceding seven days, the average number of new cases rose to 72 per day. 

    As of 6 October, cumulative confirmed cases have reached 8728, including 4205 deaths and 2269 recoveries. The overall crude CFR is 48.2%.  

    Confirmed cases have now been identified in 64 health zones across seven provinces. 

    Forty-eight of the 64 affected zones reported at least one new case during the preceding 21 days, while 16 reported no recent cases. 

    Ituri remains the most extensively affected province, with 28 of 36 health zones reporting cases during this outbreak, followed by North Kivu (17/34), Haut-Uélé (7/13), Tshopo (7/23), Bas-Uélé (3/11), South Kivu (1/34) and Sud-Ubangi (1/16). 

    Alimbongo in North Kivu is the most recently affected health zone and reported four confirmed cases, including two deaths. 

(...)

    Ituri remains the epicentre, with 6480 cumulative confirmed cases and 2989 deaths. 

    North Kivu follows with 1755 confirmed cases and 1013 deaths, and continues to record the highest provincial CFR, at 57.7%. 

    Haut-Uélé has reported 364 cases and 153 deaths, while Tshopo has recorded 51 cases and 17 deaths. 

    The less-affected provinces continue to report substantially fewer cases, but transmission persists in several of them. 

    The most affected health zones were Beni and Katwa in North Kivu, and Rwampara, Bunia and Mandima in Ituri. 

    The continued occurrence of cases across multiple provinces shows that the outbreak remains geographically active even as intensity varies between health zones. 

    Contact follow-up remains a major operational pressure and has fluctuated below the response target in recent weeks. 

    Coverage was 87.6% on 16 September, briefly above the target of 85%, but fell to 74.7% by 25 September. 

    Although coverage subsequently improved to 82.0% on 27 September, it remained below target and stood at 80.4% in the latest reporting period, with 23 741 of 29 535 contacts reached as of 4 October. 

    The current level therefore reflects a persistent gap in the ability to monitor exposed people consistently throughout the 21-day follow-up period.  

Figure 2: Number of confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, by date of notification, as of 6 October 2026 

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Figure 3: Number of deaths among confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by date of notification, as of 6 October 2026. 

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Kenya

    On 6 October 2026, the Ministry of Health of Kenya reported the first laboratory-confirmed imported case of BVD in Kenya.  

    According to an official statement from the Ministry of Health, the individual is an adult who lived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

    The patient became ill approximately one month ago and was treated in several hospitals while in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

    The patient travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Kampala, Uganda, by road before arriving in Nairobi, Kenya by air on 3 October. 

    It is currently unclear if and when he was symptomatic during these travels, but upon arriving ill in Kenya, the patient was transported by a relative directly to Nairobi Hospital and isolated in the facility. 

    A sample collected from the patient on 5 October was positive for BDBV at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute Laboratory on the same day. The patient was given supportive treatment but subsequently died.  

    A safe and dignified burial has been conducted. Public health response actions were immediately initiated. Contact tracing is ongoing, including for the international flight.  

    Given the timelines of the illness, and the one month time from initial symptoms to death, it is presumed he was not initially sick with BVD, which does not usually have such a long progression from infection to symptoms and death, but became infected with BVD in a health facility or community while seeking care for another ailment.  

The Netherlands  

    On 1 October 2026, the Netherlands reported the medical evacuation of a healthcare worker who tested positive by PCR for BDBV in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the patient was working on the Ebola disease outbreak response. 

    Following confirmation of the diagnosis, the patient was safely repatriated to the Netherlands under strict medical and infection-prevention procedures, in close coordination with the relevant health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Netherlands. 

    As with previous medically evacuated cases, this case will not be reported as a local case of BVD in the Netherlands. 

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www/who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak.news.item/2026-DON619

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#Bundibugyo Virus Disease #Outbreak in #DRC - Weekly Situation #Report No. 21, as of 4 Oct. '26 (#WHO, summary): 8,603 cases and 4,148 deaths in DRC

 

{Summary}

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Event description

    The ongoing Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic  Republic of the Congo has now extended to Kenya, the fourth country affected during the current outbreak, following earlier detections in  Uganda and France, where the events have since been controlled. 

    Kenya has reported its first confirmed case and associated death in a traveller arriving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This latest  development further underscores the regional and international dimensions of the outbreak and the continuing risk of cross-border spread.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

    The BVD outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to expand geographically, with Alimbongo Health Zone in Nord-Kivu Province  becoming the latest affected health zone, bringing the total number affected since  the start of the outbreak to 64 health zones across seven provinces. 

    Transmission remains increasingly heterogeneous across affected  provinces and health zones. 

    In the last week ending 4 October 2026, a further 487 confirmed cases and 224 confirmed deaths were reported, increasing the cumulative total to  8603 confirmed cases, including 4148 deaths [crude case fatality ratio (CFR): 48.2%]. 

    Ituri remains the principal focus, although its relative contribution  continues to decline, accounting for 75.0% of cumulative confirmed cases, while  substantial transmission continues in Nord-Kivu and persists in Haut-Uélé.

    At the national level, daily incidence remains high and fluctuating, with  the seven-day moving average rising again in early October following a decline  through the second half of September. This pattern continues to mask divergent provincial trajectories. 

    Ituri has declined substantially from its late-July/early-August peak but shows a recent upturn, while Nord-Kivu has rebounded sharply after a  temporary decline from its mid-September peak. 

    Transmission in HautUélé remains sustained but below its August peak,  while Tshopo continues to report intermittent activity from a low baseline. 

    Bas-Uélé and Sud-Ubangi report sporadic cases, with no recent  transmission evident in Sud-KivuOverall, the epidemic remains geographically  heterogeneous, with the recent national rebound driven particularly by renewed transmission in parts of Ituri and Nortrd-Kivu.

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    During the most recent 21 days (14 September – 4 October 2026), a total  of 1345 confirmed cases were reported nationally, compared with 1674 cases  during the preceding 21 days (24 August – 13 September), representing a  decrease of 329 cases (−19.7%). 

    

    Cases declined in the three principal transmission provinces: from 1004  to 791 (−21.2%) in Ituri, 553 to 448 (−19.0%) in Nord-Kivu, and 100 to 78  (−22.0%) in Haut-Uélé. 

    Consequently, Ituri accounted for 58.8% of cases reported during the  latest period and Nord-Kivu for 33.3%, compared with 60.0% and 33.0%,  respectively, during the preceding period. 

    However, the overall 21-day decline masks a recent reversal in  trajectory, with cases increasing again during the latest week, particularly in Ituri  and Nord-Kivu. The decline over the longer comparison period should therefore be interpreted cautiously and does not yet indicate sustained epidemic contraction.

(...)

    During the same period, 638 confirmed deaths were reported nationally,    compared with 830 deaths during the preceding 21 days, representing a decrease  of 192 deaths (−23.1%). 

    

    Deaths declined from 495 to 385 (−22.2%) in Ituri and from 299 to 208  (−30.4%) in Nord-Kivu. In contrast, deaths increased from 31 to 37 (+19.4%) in  Haut-Uélé, while Tshopo reported seven deaths compared with two during the preceding period. 

    Consequently, Ituri accounted for 60.3% of deaths during the latest period  and Nord-Kivu for 32.6%, compared with 59.6% and 36.0%, respectively,  during the preceding period. However, as with cases, the overall 21-day decline  masks a recent reversal in trajectory, with reported deaths increasing again during the latest week.

(...)

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

    

    Of the 64 health zones affected to date, 46 reported at least one new  confirmed case in the last 21 days. 

    

    Encouragingly, 18 health zones have not reported a new confirmed case  in the last 21 days. These include Adja, Aru, Ariwara, Aungba, Boga, Drodro,  Kambala, Logo and Mahagi in Ituri; Goma in Nord-Kivu; Gombari in Haut-Uélé;  Bafwasende, Lubunga, Tshopo and Wanie-Rukula in Tshopo; Miti-Murhesa in Sud- Kivu; and Buta and Ganga in Bas-Uélé. 

    Provincial trends continue to mask important differences between health  zones. 

    In Ituri, the most pronounced increase  occurred in Mandima, where cases  rose from 15 to 129 (+760.0%), while Mambasa increased from 3 to 20 and Nia- Nia from 46 to 72 (+56.5%). 

    In contrast, cases declined in several established transmission hotspots, including Bunia, from 285 to 196 (−31.2%), Nizi, from 120 to 54  (−55.0%), Mangala, from 116 to 52 (−55.2%), Lita, from 65 to 32 (−50.8%),  and Komanda, from 76 to 40 (−47.4%). 

    Rwampara remained a major focus despite a more modest decline, from  106 to 95 cases (−10.4%).

    Nord-Kivu showed continued broad-based intensification, with Beni  increasingly driving transmission. Cases in Beni increased from 111 during the  preceding 21 days to 165 during the most recent period (+48.6%), while  Butembo declined from 101 to 41 (−59.4%) and Musienene from 46 to 22  (−52.2%). Katwa also declined substantially, from 175 to 77 cases (−56.0%),  although it remained an important focus of transmission. Haut-Uélé declined  overall, driven largely by a sharp reduction in Isiro (−82.8%), while transmission  remained relatively stable in Wamba and Pawa. However, the first case in Dungu  indicates continued geographic expansion despite the provincial decline.

(...)

    Weekly confirmed deaths generally declined after peaking at 364 in mid-August, reaching 192 during 21–27 September.

    However, this trend reversed in the latest week, with deaths increasing  by 16.7% to 224 during 28 September–4 October. 

    The latest increase occurred in both settings, with community deaths  rising from 123 to 150 (+22.0%) and deaths in treatment facilities increasing  from 69 to 74 (+7.2%). 

    Consequently, the proportion of deaths occurring in the community  increased from 64.1% to 67.0%, continuing an upward trend from 61.3% during  14 – 20 September. The latest increase in both community and facility deaths  indicates a reversal of the declining mortality trend observed during the preceding  weeks, with two-thirds of confirmed deaths continuing to occur in the  community.

(...)

Kenya

    A confirmed case of BVD has been reported in Kenya. The case is a 40-year-old Kenyan male and resident of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  

    Preliminary investigations indicate that he travelled from Buta in Bas-Uélé  Province to Kisangani, Tshopo Province, arriving on 20 September 2026, where symptom onset was reportedly noted. 

    He subsequently travelled to Beni, Nord-Kivu Province, on 1 October,  stayed overnight, and continued by road to Kampala, Uganda, on 2 October. 

    After an overnight stay in Kampala, he travelled by air from Entebbe,  Uganda to Nairobi, Kenya on 3 October 2026, arriving at approximately 13:10,  and proceeded directly to a healthcare facility accompanied by family members,  where he was isolated. 

    He presented with fever, chills, intense fatigue and weakness, muscle  pain, painful swallowing, sore throat, and bleeding under the skin at injection  sites. 

    Samples collected on 3 October tested positive for Bundibugyo virus at the  National Virology Reference Laboratory of the Kenya Medical Research Institute 

(KEMRI), with laboratory confirmation reported on 5 October 2026. 

    He died later that day while undergoing care. Safe and dignified burial has  been conducted.

    A total of 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers,  have so far been listed. An additional 23 passengers and crew members who  travelled on the same flight as the case from Kampala, Uganda, to Nairobi, Kenya, are being traced. 

    Contacts already identified are being quarantined while further  investigations are ongoing to establish the detailed travel itinerary of the case and  identify all persons who may have been exposed in the Democratic Republic  

of the Congo, Uganda, and Kenya.

Risk Assessment

    The risk of further spread remains very high within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reflecting sustained transmission, continued geographic  expansion, high mortality, population mobility, insecurity and persistent response 

challenges. 

    The risk is considered high for neighbouring countries sharing land  borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and low elsewhere in Africa and globally. 

    The second IHR Emergency Committee, convened on 18 August 2026, also  reviewed the evolving situation and emphasized that the outbreak remains far  from controlled, and continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

(...)

Situation interpretation

    The outbreak of BVD remains uncontrolled despite expanded response capacity. 

    

    Recent increases in cases and deaths, shifting transmission hotspots,  persistent community deaths, suboptimal contact follow-up and delayed isolation 

indicate continuing gaps in breaking transmission chains. 

    The confirmed exportation to Kenya following travel through Uganda  further demonstrates the growing cross-border risk and its associated regional  consequences. 

    The immediate priorities should be to improve response performance across the different response pillars while strengthening crossborder coordination and preparedness.

Source: 

Link: https://www.afro.who.int/countries/democratic-republic-of-congo/publication/ebola-bundibugyo-virus-disease-outbreak-5

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#WHO DG's opening #remarks at the media #briefing {about suspected #plague cases in #Russia & #Ebola Bundibugyo in #DRC} (WHO, 7 October 2026, extracts)

{Excerpts}

7 October 2026 | Remarks | Geneva 

    Good morning, good afternoon and good evening.

    Last Friday, the 2nd of October, the first media reports emerged of a suspected case of pneumonic plague in a laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute in the Russian Federation.

    The lab worker died after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Initial media reports suggested pneumonic plague following an accidental lab exposure.

    WHO is aware that the Russian government held a meeting on the 2nd of October because they suspected a resident of the Irkutsk oblast had contracted a dangerous infection.

    On Saturday, WHO asked the Russian Federation for more information, in accordance with the International Health Regulations.

    Yesterday, the Russian Federation responded, saying that no case of plague had recently been reported in the Irkutsk oblast, and that they had placed about 200 contacts in quarantine.

    However, WHO has requested further information on the laboratory tests conducted on the individual who died and the contacts, more detail on what prompted the public health measures, and details about the health status of the contacts.

    We have also sought verification of media reports of a second employee with pneumonia of undetermined cause.

    WHO has offered technical support related to plague and lab biosafety and biosecurity.

    As we don’t yet have the full picture of this event, we are not able to conduct a full risk assessment.

    Timely, complete and transparent information sharing under the International Health Regulations is essential to clarify conflicting reports and enable an accurate assessment of potential public health risks.

===

    Now to the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    The number of confirmed cases has now reached 8665, with 4178 confirmed deaths.

    In some areas, there are clear signs that the epidemic is slowing down, although in others it is continuing to grow.

    Since the outbreak began, contact tracing has improved significantly, around 2000 alerts are reported every day, and about 5 million people have been reached through community engagement activities.  

    Clinical trials of therapeutics are progressing, with more than 600 people enrolled;

    A vaccine trial is expected to start later this month, and we are working on ensuring access to these products should they prove efficacious in trials.

    These advances are the result of hard work over many months, by communities and partners under the leadership of the government.

    But we continue to face significant challenges.

    The majority of deaths still happen in the community instead of in treatment centres, and contact tracing is still not at the level needed.

    And we cannot forget that this epidemic is unfolding in an area beset by a prolonged humanitarian crisis.

    While transmission is going down overall, new hotspots continue to appear, including in areas close to the border with South Sudan.

    And as you know, Kenya yesterday reported a case of Ebola in a Kenyan citizen who fell ill in DRC, was treated at several facilities there, then travelled to the Kenyan capital Nairobi via the Ugandan capital Kampala.

    Immediately upon arrival in Nairobi, he was taken to hospital where he was isolated and Ebola was confirmed. He received care but died on Monday this week.

    Kenyan authorities are monitoring 55 contacts, including passengers and crew who were with the patient on the flight from Kampala to Nairobi.

    Yesterday, I spoke to the Cabinet Secretary to discuss the case and the measures that Kenya had taken to prepare for an event like this.

    I commend the Kenyan government for its prompt action and for reporting the case to WHO under the International Health Regulations in a timely way.

    WHO advises against blanket travel or trade restrictions, which are less effective than screening, contact tracing and other measures. 

    Transparency should be rewarded, not punished.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.who.int/news-room/speeches/item/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing---7-october-2026

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#Kenya confirms first imported #Bundibugyo virus disease case; #WHO supports control efforts (Oct. 7 '26)

 

    Nairobi—Following the confirmation by Kenyan authorities of the country's first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), the World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with the Government of Kenya to intensify key control measures to prevent further spread of the virus.

    The government is strengthening its response coordination and case investigation, while monitoring and listing contacts for enhanced disease surveillance. 

    At the core of the response efforts are screening at high-risk points of entry, and clear risk communication, while engaging communities to help prevent infection. These measures are rapidly being deployed to ensure the identification of cases and help contain further transmission.

    The patient, a Kenyan citizen, fell ill in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they had been living, and was treated at several health facilities there. 

    The patient then travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda through Beni on 2 October 2026, and flew to Nairobi, arriving on 3 October 2026. 

    On arrival, the patient was transported to a hospital in Nairobi and was quickly isolated. 

    Samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute. 

    Despite supportive care, the patient died on the night of 5 October 2026 and was buried on 6 October 2026 in line with the country’s Ebola safe and dignified burial protocol.

    The Government of Kenya notified WHO of the case in line with the International Health Regulations (2005) on 6 October 2026. 

    Kenya is the fourth country to confirm BVD. 

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo is responding to an ongoing BVD outbreak, while Uganda, where the Bundibugyo virus species was first detected in 2007, ended the latest outbreak in August 2026. 

    Most cases in Uganda were imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the remaining few were locally acquired among contacts and health workers linked to imported cases. 

    France reported a travel-related case of BVD in June 2026.

    Health authorities in Kenya have so far listed 28 contacts, including family members and health workers who cared for the patient. They are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members from the same flight, with arrangements underway for appropriate follow-up and quarantine of people assessed to be at risk.

    "Health emergency preparedness gives us a head start. Kenya has put important outbreak control measures in place. The priority now is to move swiftly to detect any further cases before the virus has an opportunity to spread. We're supporting the ongoing efforts to strengthen the response, and with rapid and coordinated action, we can prevent the virus from gaining a foothold and stop a potential larger outbreak," said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

    Kenya has been on high alert since May 2026, when outbreaks were declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. As of 6 October 2026, Kenya has screened over 652 000 travellers entering the country, tested 267 suspected samples and trained around 5000 health workers on Ebola prevention and management.

    WHO and partners have supported Kenya’s Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute in these efforts. 

    This includes: 

        § Ebola simulation exercises and training a national pool of rapid response trainers, among them responders who served during the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak. 

        § Isolation units across 27 high-risk counties in Kenya have been identified and assessed, case managers trained, and Ebola surveillance tools have been updated so that suspected cases can be quickly identified, reported and investigated. 

        § Risk communication and community engagement activities have also been strengthened through public messaging, media and community engagement, call centre support, and monitoring and responding to rumours and misinformation.

    WHO has also delivered about 1000 Ebola tests and 1000 personal protective equipment kits to high-risk counties in Kenya.

    Kenya's Ebola preparedness score, which tracks progress on key readiness measures such as surveillance, laboratory testing, isolation and treatment facilities and trained response teams, rose from 66% in May to 82% in July 2026.

    WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or Kenya based on the currently available information. WHO continues to closely monitor and, where necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this event.

    WHO calls for continued support to the response in affected countries. Global solidarity, along with government-led responses with engaged communities, is the best route to ending the outbreak.

Source: 

Link: https://www.afro.who.int/countries/kenya/news/kenya-confirms-first-imported-bundibugyo-virus-disease-case-who-supports-control-efforts

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#Kenya, First Confirmed Case of #Ebola #Bundibugyio Virus Disease imported from #DRC (Min. Health, Oct. 6 '26)

{Extract}

REPUDLIC OF KENYA | Ministry of Health

CABINET SECRETARY PRESS RELEASE ON CONFIRMED CASE OF BUNDIBUGYO  EBOLA VIRUS

Date: 6th October 2026

    The Ministry of Health wishes to inform members of the public that it has confirmed the first imported case of Ebola (Bundibugyo) Virus Disease. 

    The patient a Kenyan citizen, who has been living in DRC for the past 7  years fell ill about a month ago and was treated in several hospitals while still in DRC. 

    He travelled from DRC to Kampala by road and then boarded Jambo Jet flight number 8523 and arrived in Nairobi on Saturday 3rd October 2026  at 1.10 pm. 

    He underwent the normal public health screening at the Port health and  immigration desk. 

    He was transported by a relative and a friend directly from the JKIA using KDG 699Z Toyota Fielder to Nairobi hospital where he was quickly isolated in a separate room at the A&E in the Hospital and later transferred to the East Wing Isolation Facility. 

    He presented with fever, chills, intense fatigue and weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat and bleeding under the skin at injection  sites. 

    Based on the above presentation and history of travel to DRC the doctor  considered this a case of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever and collected a sample for  testing which turned positive for Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease at both the  National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI Lab. 

    The patient was given supportive treatment but regrettably passed on last night. 

    We take this opportunity to pass our sincere condolences to the family  and friends of the departed. 

    Arrangements for safe and dignified burial of the deceased are ongoing,  and the burial is planned for later today in line with the Ebola safe and dignified  burial protocols.

Source: 

Link: via Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/p/DeJemXJDe0K/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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Early insights into predicted efficacy of #Ebola monoclonal #antibodies for the 2026 #Bundibugyo virus disease #outbreak

 

Abstract

The 2026 Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the DRC and Uganda raises urgent questions about the efficacy of existing Ebola virus (EBOV) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Bundibugyo virus (BDBV). Here, we perform genomic and structural analyses of 44 BDBV sequences, including 12 from the 2026 outbreak, to assess mAb binding to the viral glycoprotein (GP). While the MBP134 cocktail epitopes remain conserved, mAb114 (Ebanga) binding is compromised by E112D and P116A mutations, causing off-target binding and reduced affinity. Structural modeling of Inmazeb shows that while Odesivimab maintains epitope binding, Atoltivimab and Maftivimab fail to bind their designated sites individually, though the complete trimeric cocktail demonstrates BDBV synergistic binding. These computational models predict mAb114 efficacy against BDBV may be compromised due to epitope mutations affecting binding affinity, whereas MBP134 retains conserved targeting and holds promise as a broadly protective therapeutic. The complex binding behavior of Inmazeb components points to the importance of antibody combinatorial effects for treatment efficacy. These observations warrant urgent experimental validation through neutralization assays.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-78077-9

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#Ebola disease caused by #Bundibugyo virus - #DRC (WHO D.O.N., September 25 '26): 7,890 cases and 3,799 deaths so far

 

{Extracts}

Situation at a glance

    Since the last Disease Outbreak News was published on 11 September 2026, the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded further, with two additional health zones affected. 

    These include Bulu health zone in a new province, Sud Ubangi, located on the north-west part of the country and Dungu health zone in Haut-Uélé province, bordering South Sudan. 

    This brings the total number of affected health zones to 63 across seven provinces out of 26 provinces of the country: Bas-Uélé, Haut-Uélé, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Sud Ubangi and Tshopo. 

    This latest geographic expansion increases the risk of cross-border transmission. 

    As of 23 September 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 7890 confirmed cases, including 3799 deaths, resulting in a crude case fatality ratio (CFR) of 48.1%. 

    At the national level, the number of new cases reported each day remains high. However, the situation varies across the country, with some provinces and health zones experiencing much higher levels of transmission than others. 

    The continuously high CFR, and especially the continuous high rate of deaths occurring in communities, highlights the seriousness of the disease and the persistent challenges in timely case detection and access to early and adequate patient care. 

    These delays can contribute to preventable illness and deaths among people in affected and newly affected areas, while also allowing transmission to continue within households, communities, and healthcare settings.

Description of the situation

    Since the previous Disease Outbreak News was published on 11 September 2026, an additional 1133 confirmed cases, including 532 confirmed deaths, have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

    The seven-day moving average shows a resurgence in early September followed by a decline over the most recent reporting days. 

    However, the aggregate national trend conceals substantial variation in transmission intensity across affected provinces and health zones. 

    As of 23 September, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported a total of 7890 confirmed cases, including 3799 deaths (CFR 48.1%). 

    A total of 1966 patients have recovered to date. 

    Confirmed cases have been reported from 63 health zones across seven provinces, with 48 health zones from six provinces reporting at least one case in the last 21 days. 

    Ituri remains the most affected province, with 28 of its 36 health zones reporting cases, followed by North Kivu (16/34), Tshopo (7/23), Haut-Uélé (7/13), Bas-Uélé (3/11), South Kivu (1/34), and Sud Ubangi (1/16). 

    No new cases have been reported from South Kivu province since 29 May 2026.  

    Dungu Health Zone in Haut-Uélé province and Bulu in Sud Ubangi are the most recently affected areas. 

    As of 23 September, 70 new confirmed cases had been reported in the preceding 24 hours from 26 health zones located in Ituri, North Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Bas Uélé and Tshopo provinces.  

(...)

    Ituri continues to be the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for 6032 confirmed cases since the start of the outbreak, including 868 new confirmed cases reported in the previous 21 days, as of 23 September. 

    North Kivu is the second most affected province, with a cumulative number of 1480 confirmed cases, including 567 reported in the last 21 days, as of 23 September. 

    North Kivu province continues to report the highest CFR (59.7%) observed in this outbreak; and investigations are ongoing to better understand the factors contributing to this elevated mortality rate. 

    In Ituri, case incidence continues to decline gradually from the peak observed in mid-August, although transmission remains at elevated levels. 

    North Kivu, in contrast, has experienced a substantial increase in incidence, reaching its highest reported level in mid-September, followed by a decline in recent reporting days. 

    Haut-Uélé continues to demonstrate sustained transmission, albeit at levels below the peak recorded in late August, while Tshopo is showing renewed transmission activity following a period of low incidence. 

    In Bas-Uélé, transmission remains sporadic, whereas no recent evidence of transmission has been reported in Sud-Kivu. 

    Sud Ubangi is the seventh province to report a confirmed case of BVD, with one case that was reported on 10 September (Figure 2). 

    The number of individuals requiring follow-up as contact has also risen considerably with the expansion of the outbreak. 

    As of 23 September, 83.4% of identified contacts were successfully monitored during the previous 24 hours with 26 980 contacts seen out of 32 342 requiring follow up. 

    The large volume of contacts under surveillance highlights the extent of potential exposure within affected communities and the substantial demands placed on response operations. 

    The response is being implemented in a challenging humanitarian environment, where conflict, insecurity, displacement, and limited access to basic services continue to affect outbreak control.  These constraints continue to hamper surveillance, case finding, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and timely access to appropriate care, thereby limiting the overall effectiveness of response activities. 

Figure 2: Number of confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, by date of notification, as of 23 September 2026

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Figure 3: Number of deaths among confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by date of notification, as of 23 September 2026. 

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WHO risk assessment

    On 14 August 2026, WHO reassessed the risk of the outbreak of BVD, incorporating newly available information on the evolving situation. 

    The risk for countries sharing land borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo was separated from the risk for other countries in the African Region. 

    The risk in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was assessed as very high, the risk for countries sharing land borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo was assessed as high, and the risks for the rest of the African region and at the global level was again assessed as low. 

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www/who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak.news.item/2026-DON618

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Field #Investigation of #Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BDBV) #Outbreak in Ituri Province, #DRC: ... An Outbreak Investigation Review

 

Abstract

Background: 

The 2026 outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease (BDBV) in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), centered in Ituri Province, represents the largest documented outbreak caused by Bundibugyo ebolavirus since its discovery in Uganda in 2007. The outbreak evolved within a complex humanitarian setting characterized by armed conflict, population displacement, mining-related migration, weak health systems, extensive population mobility, and an infodemic environment marked by misinformation and reduced public trust. We conducted a field investigation to assess epidemiological, operational, laboratory, infection prevention and control (IPC), community engagement, risk communication, and infodemic management challenges and identify priority interventions to strengthen outbreak control. 

Methods: 

A rapid field assessment was conducted between 12–15 June 2026 in Bunia, Rwampara Health Zone, and the Ituri Provincial Public Health Laboratory. Data were collected through direct observation, review of surveillance and laboratory reports, health facility assessments, stakeholder interviews, and analysis of outbreak response indicators. Epidemiological trends, surveillance performance, laboratory capacity, clinical care, IPC activities, logistics, risk communication, community engagement, and infodemic management approaches were evaluated. 

Results: 

As of 12 July 2026, the outbreak had resulted in 1926 laboratory-confirmed cases and 702 deaths, corresponding to an overall case fatality rate (CFR) of 36.4% across affected provinces. Ituri Province remained the epicenter, accounting for 90.8% of confirmed cases (1705/1877) and 85.5% of reported deaths (577/675). During the preceding 24 h, 53 new confirmed cases and 30 deaths were reported, including 20 community deaths (66.7%), highlighting persistent delays in detection, referral, and access to care. Surveillance systems identified 766 alerts, of which 678 (88.5%) were investigated, resulting in 235 suspected cases. Contact tracing remained a major challenge, with only 64.4% (4171/6475) of registered contacts successfully followed, below the recommended ≥95% target. Laboratory activities included testing of 137 specimens, with 29 positive results and an overall positivity rate of 21.2%. Decentralized molecular diagnostic platforms improved access to testing; however, data inconsistencies, delayed investigations, and gaps in outcome classification affected response monitoring. Major operational challenges included limited treatment capacity, high occupancy of Ebola treatment centres, shortages of trained personnel and IPC supplies, insecurity affecting response teams, and insufficient preparedness in newly affected areas. Community resistance, attacks on burial teams, detention of frontline responders, misinformation, and rumors contributed to delayed care-seeking, reduced acceptance of public health measures, and incomplete cooperation with contact tracing. Risk communication and community engagement efforts were constrained by limited outreach capacity, language barriers, low trust, and inadequate systems for rumor detection and infodemic response. 

Conclusions: 

The ongoing BDBV outbreak in eastern DRC demonstrates the difficulty of controlling Ebola transmission in conflict-affected and socially complex settings. Sustained transmission, community deaths, geographic expansion, and operational constraints highlight the urgent need to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory systems, IPC capacity, clinical care, and integrated risk communication and infodemic management strategies. Building trust through community-centered approaches, proactive misinformation management, and engagement of trusted local actors will be essential to accelerate outbreak containment and strengthen preparedness across the Great Lakes region.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18050100

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#Bundibugyo Virus Disease #Outbreak, #DRC - Situation #Report 19, Data as of 20 September 2026 (WHO, summary): 7,733 cases & 3,732 deaths so far

 

{Summary}

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Event description

    The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of  the Congo has expanded further, with Dungu Health Zone in Haut-Uélé  Province, bordering South Sudan, being the latest affected, bringing the total  number of health zones affected to 63 since the start of the outbreak. 

    This latest geographic expansion heightens concern about further spread  towards international borders, while transmission within the country remains  increasingly heterogeneous across affected provinces and health zones. 

    Since External Situation Report #18, a further 475 confirmed cases and  222 confirmed deaths have been reported, bringing the cumulative total  to 7733 confirmed cases, including 3732 deaths [crude case fatality ratio (CFR 48.3%)], as of 20 September 2026. 

    Ituri remains the principal focus, although its relative contribution  continues to decline, accounting for 76.9% of cumulative confirmed cases, while substantial transmission continues in Nord-Kivu and persists in Haut-Uélé.

    At the national level, daily incidence remains high and fluctuating, with the  seven-day moving average rebounding in early September before declining in the  most recent days. This national pattern masks divergent provincial trajectories. 

    Ituri continues a gradual decline from its late-July peak but remains at a  high level, while Nord-Kivu experienced a marked increase, reaching its highest  incidence in mid-September, followed by an apparent decline in recent days.

    Transmission in Haut-Uélé remains sustained but below its August peak,  while Tshopo shows renewed activity from a low baseline. Bas-Uélé continues to  report sporadic transmission, with no recent transmission evident in Sud-Kivu.

    Overall, the epidemic remains geographically heterogeneous, with  recent declines in the principal transmission areas occurring alongside persistent  low-level transmission and continued geographic expansion to new areas.

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 20 September 2026

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(...)

    During the most recent 21 days (31 August – 20 September 2026), a total of 1633 confirmed cases were reported nationally. 

    

    Compared with 1719 cases during the preceding 21-day period (10 – 30  August 2026), this represents a decrease of 86 cases (−5.0%). 

    Reported cases declined by 25.8% in Ituri, from 1255 to 931, and by  18.3% in Haut-Uélé, from 109 to 89. 

    

    In contrast, cases increased sharply by 72.7% in Nord-Kivu, from 341 to  589, while Tshopo increased from 10 to 20 cases. 

    Bas-Uélé reported three cases compared with four during the preceding  period, while one case was reported in Sud-Ubangi. 

    Consequently, Ituri’s contribution to newly reported cases fell markedly  from 73.0% to 57.0%, while Nord-Kivu’s contribution increased from 19.8% to  36.1%; Haut-Uélé’s contribution declined from 6.3% to 5.5%. 

    Overall, the modest 5.0% national decline masks a pronounced geographic  redistribution of transmission, with the substantial decline in Ituri  increasingly offset by continued high transmission in Nord-Kivu and geographic  expansion to new areas.

    During the same period, 782 confirmed deaths were reported nationally,  compared with 939 deaths during the preceding 21 days, representing a decrease of 157 deaths (−16.7%). 

    The national decline was driven largely by Ituri, where reported deaths  decreased from 654 to 448 (−31.5%), while deaths also declined in Haut-Uélé,  from 50 to 31 (−38.0%). 

    In contrast, deaths increased substantially in Nord-Kivu, from 228 to  296 (+29.8%). Consequently, Ituri’s contribution to newly reported deaths fell  from 69.6% to 57.3%, while Nord-Kivu’s contribution increased from 24.3% 

to 37.9%; Haut-Uélé’s contribution declined from 5.3% to 4.0%. 

    Tshopo reported five deaths, Bas-Uélé one, and SudUbangi one during the  latest period. 

    Overall, the decline in national mortality was driven predominantly by  the substantial reduction in Ituri and masks the continued concentration of  mortality in Nord-Kivu, which now accounts for more than one-third of newly reported cases and deaths nationally.

(...)

    

    Additionally, during the most recent 21 days (31 August–20 September  2026), 49 of the 63 affected health zones (77.8%) reported at least one new  confirmed case, while 14 (22.2%) reported no new cases. Health zones reporting  no cases were Adja, Aru, Ariwara, Aungba, Boga, Kambala and Mahagi in Ituri;  Goma in Nord-Kivu; Gombari in Haut-Uélé; Lubunga, Tshopo and Wanie-Rukula in  Tshopo; Miti-Murhesa in Sud-Kivu; and Buta in Bas-Uélé.

    Provincial trends continue to mask important differences between health  zones. In Ituri, where cases declined overall between the two consecutive  21-day periods, several health zones showed increasing or sustained transmission.  

    Cases nearly doubled in Komanda, from 36 to 69 (+91.7%), and increased  substantially in Mongbwalu, from 44 to 79 (+79.5%), while remaining broadly  stable in Lita, from 55 to 57 (+3.6%). In contrast, transmission declined  substantially in several major hotspots, including Bunia, from 376 to 265  (−29.5%), Nizi, from 183 to 94 (−48.6%), Rwampara, from 190 to 104 (−45.3%), and Nia-Nia, from 77 to 54 (−29.9%). Mangala also declined from  130 to 91 cases (−30.0%). 

    Nord-Kivu showed the opposite pattern, with continued broad-based  intensification, although trends varied between individual health zones. Cases  more than doubled in Beni, from 62 to 143 (+130.6%), and increased in  Butembo, from 64 to 87 (+35.9%) and Musienene, from 31 to 42 (+35.5%). In  contrast, Katwa remained at a very high level but declined slightly, from 161 to  154 cases (−4.3%). Haut-Uélé declined overall, but this similarly concealed  divergent health-zone trajectories: cases in Pawa more than doubled from 16 to  35 (+118.8%), while declining in Isiro from 50 to 18 (−64.0%) and Wamba from 35 to 25 (−28.6%).

(...)

    Weekly confirmed deaths peaked at 364 during 10 – 16 August, before  declining to 302 and 270 over the following two weeks. Deaths subsequently  increased to 276 during 31 August – 6 September and 284 during 7 – 13  September, before declining to 222 during 14 – 20 September (−21.8%). This  latest decline occurred in both settings, with community deaths decreasing from  193 to 136 (−29.5%) and deaths in treatment facilities declining from 91 to 86  (−5.5%).

    Consequently, the proportion of deaths occurring in the community fell  from 68.0% to 61.3%, continuing the decline from the peak of 75.0% during  31 August – 6 September. Despite this improvement, nearly two-thirds of  confirmed deaths in the latest week continued to occur in the community.

(...)

    The geographic distribution of confirmed BVD community deaths has  shifted substantially over time. Ituri remained the dominant contributor  throughout most of the outbreak, but its share declined markedly in recent weeks  as Nord-Kivu’s contribution increased, reaching near parity during 31 August – 13  September. In the latest week, 14 – 20 September, Ituri’s contribution increased  to 58.8%, while Nord-Kivu’s declined to 33.8%, with Haut-Uélé accounting for  4.4% and only small contributions from other affected provinces. 

    Overall, the  pattern indicates an important geographic redistribution of  community mortality, with Nord-Kivu now contributing a substantially greater  share than during the earlier phase of the outbreak, despite the recent decline.

    Overall, 2,241 community deaths with age and sex information available were analysed. 

    Children aged <5 years accounted for 554 (24.7%) of these deaths,  while 1,157 (51.6%) were male and 1,084 (48.4%) were female. During the most  recent 21 days, 482 community deaths with age and sex information  available were analysed. Of these, children aged <5 years accounted for 146  (30.3%), representing a greater proportional concentration than in the overall distribution. By sex, 251 (52.1%) were male and 231 (47.9%) were  female, broadly consistent with the overall sex distribution. The greater  representation of children under five among recent community deaths suggests  that this age group may be experiencing increasing vulnerability to death before  reaching appropriate care, warranting closer investigation of care-seeking,  detection and referral pathways among young children.

(...)

    Available case investigation information suggests that community deaths may result from multiple barriers along the pathway to appropriate care,  including missed diagnosis at peripheral health facilities, self-medication, care- seeking from traditional healers or religious places, refusal of referral, and no prior  healthcare contact. Although their relative contribution cannot yet be  quantified, these pathways highlight the need to strengthen early case  identification, community detection, and timely referral to appropriate treatment.

Risk Assessment

    The risk of further spread remains very high within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reflecting sustained transmission, continued geographic  expansion, high mortality, population mobility, insecurity and persistent response 

challenges. 

    A two-week invasion-risk forecast identified 20 previously unaffected  health zones at elevated risk of transmission. Dungu, which was among the health  zones identified as high risk, has since reported confirmed transmission.  The remaining 19 health zones are Rethy, Watsa, Nyarambé, Biringi, Makoro,  Karisimbi, Angumu, Rutshuru, Nyiragongo, Niangara, Linga, Kirotshe,  Bafwagbogbo, Alimbongo, Jiba, Poko, Rwanguba, Kamango and Kibirizi. 

    This development reinforces the value of risk-based preparedness and  readiness measures in health zones identified as being at elevated risk.

    The risk is considered high for neighbouring countries sharing land  borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and low elsewhere in Africa and globally. 

    The second IHR Emergency Committee, convened on 18 August 2026, also  reviewed the evolving situation and emphasized that the outbreak remains  far from controlled, and continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

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Situation interpretation

    The outbreak remains uncontrolled and increasingly geographically dispersed, expanding the operational footprint of the response and placing  additional pressure on already stretched resources. The emergence of  transmission in Dungu, a health zone bordering South Sudan that was previously  identified as being at high risk, further heightens the potential for cross-border  spread and reinforces the need to accelerate readiness in areas where further  spread is anticipated. At the same time, community mortality remains a major  concern, with nearly two-thirds of recent deaths occurring in the community,  indicating persistent delays in detection, referral and access to appropriate care. 

    Children under five are disproportionately represented among  community deaths, suggesting particular vulnerabilities in early recognition of  illness and timely care-seeking and referral for young children. The multiple  pathways leading to community deaths, including missed recognition at health  facilities, self-medication, alternative care-seeking, refusal of referral and no prior  healthcare contact, indicate that reducing mortality will require interventions  across the entire pathway to care.

    Priorities should include stronger community detection, early recognition  at peripheral health facilities, rapid referral and improved community  trust and acceptance, alongside targeted investigation and interventions to  address the specific barriers contributing to community deaths among children under five.

Source: 

Link: https://www.afro.who.int/countries/democratic-republic-of-congo/publication/ebola-bundibugyo-virus-disease-outbreak-4

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