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With the number of confirmed cases nearing 10,000, the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in central Africa - which was first announced in mid-May in the DRC - is now the second largest in history, and shows no sign of stopping.
Credit CDC
This outbreak has spilled over into neighboring countries, and an imported case was recently reported in Nigeria (see ECDC Threat assessment brief – Importation of Ebola disease cases caused by Bundibugyo virus to Kenya and Nigeria).
While sporadic exported cases are always possible, the public health risks outside of the DRC and surrounding areas is considered low.
Yesterday the CDC (link) and the ECDC (link) both posted updated outbreak reports. Excerpts from both follow:
Ebola disease: Multi-country outbreak 2026
This page is updated regularly. It was last updated on 26 October at 16:30.
An outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus has been ongoing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since May 2026. Cases were also reported in Kenya and Nigeria in October 2026 and have been reported in Uganda, where the outbreak has ended.
Key factsOn 20 October 2026, an Ebola case was reported in Nigeria. The individual, who had travel history to Uganda, developed symptoms on 7 October, sought medical care on 11 October, and tested positive on 20 October. A total of 53 contacts have been identified to date, and further epidemiological investigations are ongoing.
As of 25 October, in Kenya, a total of nine confirmed cases, including two deaths, have been reported, all linked to the first case. The last case was reported on 20 October 2026 (close contact of the first case) and the second death on 23 October 2026.
As of 25 October 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported a total of 9 964 confirmed cases, including 4 851 related deaths (from data up until 24 October). Since the beginning of the outbreak, eight provinces have been affected: Ituri, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uélé, Bas-Uélé, Sud Ubangi and Nord Ubangi.
ECDC is monitoring the outbreak through its epidemic intelligence activities and actively liaising with partners to support the response.
ECDC is actively liaising with key partners, including Africa CDC, the European Commission, the World Health Organization, the European Union Delegation in Nigeria and Nigeria CDC to provide further support through the EU Health Task Force in response to the ongoing event in Nigeria.
For more detailed epidemiological information and updates on the outbreak, visit ECDC’s Public health events page.
Cases medically evacuated or imported to Europe
Since May 2026, four cases of Ebola disease linked to the outbreak in DRC have been medically evacuated or imported to the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). Three patients were medically evacuated for specialised care, two to Germany and one to the Netherlands. A fourth case was reported in France in July. All four cases involved people working in healthcare or humanitarian roles in affected areas of DRC. In July, a resident of the United Kingdom (UK) was also evacuated to the UK following potential exposure while treating Ebola patients in DRC.
ECDC risk assessment
On the basis of the available information, and given the uncertainties surrounding this outbreak, the likelihood of infection for people from the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) living in or travelling to affected areas is estimated to be low. Given the very low likelihood of importation and secondary transmission, the likelihood of infection for people living in the EU/EEA is estimated to be very low. This assessment will be reviewed as further information becomes available.
The CDC's update outlines some of the challenges in containing this outbreak:
- The response to this outbreak is challenging due to a number of complex circumstances in the region.
- Limited health infrastructure, including limited access to healthcare, diagnostic and laboratory services, infection prevention and control supplies, and other basic services make stopping this outbreak more difficult.
- Ongoing conflict in the area where the outbreak is occurring creates security issues and complicates contact tracing and infection prevention and control.
- Violence against healthcare workers and shortages of personal protective equipment are leading to healthcare workers becoming infected while treating patients.
- Frequent population movement and cross-border travel increase the risk of spread to Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and to other areas.
- Lack of trust in the government and misinformation make communicating about Ebola more difficult.
Additionally, the WHO points out:
Differentiating BVD from other endemic febrile illnesses such as malaria is challenging without laboratory confirmation. Outbreak control relies on rapid case identification and investigation, isolation and care, contact tracing, safe burials and strong community engagement, as no approved vaccines or specific treatments currently exist for BVD.On October 23rd, the WHO announced the start of a Phase 2/3 clinical trial to evaluate potential vaccine candidates; starting with Ervebo (an Ebola Zaire-specific vaccine). Details on this trial were published by CEPI late last week.
These studies, however, will take months. And positive results are not guaranteed.
Which means there seems little chance that the outbreak in Africa will be brought under control anytime soon.