Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak spreads to five countries, WHO reports

Since an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease was declared on 15 May 2026 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, confirmed cases have now been reported in five countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, France, Kenya and Nigeria, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As of 20 October 2026, cumulative confirmed cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had reached 9704, including 4687 deaths.

Nigeria became the fifth affected country after reporting one laboratory-confirmed imported case on 20 October 2026. Kenya reported its first imported case on 6 October 2026, which led to eight secondary cases linked to one cluster. All Kenyan contacts were traced and quarantined, and there is currently no evidence of transmission outside that cluster.

What is Bundibugyo virus disease?

Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe form of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it passes from animals to people. Fruit bats are suspected to be the natural reservoir, or animal source, of the virus.

Human infection is thought to occur first through close contact with the blood or secretions of infected wildlife, such as bats or non-human primates. It then spreads from person to person through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected individuals, or with contaminated surfaces and materials. Transmission increases in health-care settings when infection prevention measures are inadequate, and during unsafe burial practices involving direct contact with deceased individuals.

The incubation period — the time between infection and the start of symptoms — ranges from two to 21 days. Infected individuals are not infectious until symptoms begin.

Recognising the symptoms

Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. The WHO notes these are non-specific, meaning they look like many other illnesses, which complicates diagnosis. These symptoms may then progress to gastrointestinal problems, organ dysfunction and, in some cases, haemorrhagic manifestations, which means bleeding.

Differentiating this disease from other common febrile illnesses, such as malaria, is challenging without laboratory confirmation. There are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease. Outbreak control relies on rapid case identification, isolation, contact tracing, safe burials and strong community engagement.

Global risk assessment

On 14 August 2026, the WHO assessed the risk in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as very high, the risk for countries sharing land borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo as high, and the risk for the rest of the African region and globally as low. This assessment is currently being revised based on new information. The WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, affected countries.