Totally Fine Foundation · Issue 005 · Outbreak / Access Constraints

DRC Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak

Last reviewed · Totally Fine Foundation editorial desk · 9 min

As of 10 August 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 4,449 confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola cases and 2,061 deaths, according to the WHO estimate cited by IOM. The outbreak is the largest Ebola outbreak ever reported in the DRC and is expanding faster than previous ones. It is unfolding in eastern DRC amid armed conflict, large-scale displacement and acute humanitarian needs that constrain access and complicate response. Most deaths are occurring outside treatment centres, and there is no licensed vaccine or approved virus-specific treatment. Cross-border movements and regional preparedness are also affected.

Metrics

The Bundibugyo Count: An Outbreak Under Access Constraints

Scale of the Bundibugyo outbreak

As of 10 August 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 4,449 confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola cases and 2,061 deaths, according to the WHO estimate cited by IOM.

The 2026 Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is the largest Ebola outbreak ever reported in the DRC and is expanding faster than previous Ebola outbreaks there.

By 12 August 2026, WHO reported that the outbreak had expanded to 54 health zones across six DRC provinces. The outbreak had reached Bas-Uélé, making six DRC provinces affected by mid-August 2026.

As of 20 August 2026, 10 cases of Bundibugyo virus disease had been reported in Kisangani, according to a World Health Organization report reproduced by ReliefWeb.

According to the DRC Ministry of Health, reported figures as of 18 October 2026 indicated 9,552 confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease cases and 4,602 confirmed deaths, for a reported case-fatality rate of 48.2 per cent [1][2]. The same report stated that 66 health zones across 8 provinces had reported at least one confirmed case since the start of the outbreak; reported figures indicated Ituri accounted for 72.9 per cent of cumulative confirmed cases and that transmission remained concentrated in Ituri and North Kivu during the reporting period ending 18 October 2026 [3][4][5].

According to WHO, Ebola is affecting several health zones in Haut-Uélé province.

According to the WHO South Sudan Week 43 update (19–25 Oct 2026, published 28 Oct 2026), the DRC Bundibugyo outbreak reached 9,964 cases and 4,851 deaths, up from 9,637 cases in the Week 42 update.

According to the WHO situation report published on 30 October 2026, as of 24 October 2026, the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo had affected 66 health zones across eight provinces (Haut-Uélé, Ituri, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, Tshopo, Bas-Uélé, Sud-Ubangi and Nord-Ubangi), with a reported case fatality rate of 48.6%. As of 24 October 2026, 2,670 people had been declared recovered, according to WHO.

Sources: reliefweb.int — IOM Situation Report No. 13: Multi-Country Bundibugyo Ebola Response, 3–9 August 2026; crisisresponse.iom.int — IOM Multi-Country EVD Preparedness and Response Plan; who.int — WHO Disease Outbreak News: Bundibugyo Ebola in DRC

Outbreak amid armed conflict, displacement and humanitarian need

The outbreak is unfolding in eastern DRC amid armed conflict, large-scale displacement and acute humanitarian needs. These conditions constrain humanitarian access and complicate the response.

According to Mercy Corps' incident analysis covering 2–31 July 2026, 97 Ebola-related incidents were recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, up from 68 during the preceding 47-day period. The same analysis characterizes the change as both an acceleration and a transformation in the nature of risks surrounding the response.

Mercy Corps' analysis indicates a sharp increase in incident frequency and a widening geographical spread during the period. According to the same analysis, Ituri remained the most affected province, while North Kivu accounted for a substantially larger share of incidents and Tshopo and Haut-Uélé newly appeared in monitoring. Mercy Corps also reports that average incident severity declined in terms of casualties during the period, and that the operational environment was shaped by three distinct but sometimes interlocking risk systems, including community friction around safe and dignified burials, prevention activities and health facilities.

According to a joint statement by the Red Cross Societies of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, IFRC, and ICRC, as of 24 August 2026, 12 Red Cross volunteers had been injured in 11 violent incidents linked to the Ebola response. The statement reported that ambulances were damaged, including one that was set on fire, and emergency-response equipment was destroyed. On 19 August 2026, three volunteers involved in the Ebola response were reportedly attacked and injured in Beni, North Kivu Province, with response equipment destroyed, according to the statement. On 18 August 2026, two volunteers were reportedly injured while attempting to conduct a safe and dignified humanitarian activity, according to the statement. The statement said the reported attacks occurred 100 days after the official declaration of the outbreak.

On 17 August 2026, WFP said affected families face increasing difficulty accessing food while following treatment and isolation guidance. WFP reports that it is delivering food and nutrition assistance to Ebola patients and families during treatment or isolation, and building Ebola Treatment Centres in the DRC.

WFP also states that it is providing logistics, telecommunications and air services to help health partners reach affected communities and move essential supplies. The response is constrained by conflict, hunger, insecurity, poor roads and limited access to affected communities, according to WFP. On 17 August 2026, WFP said it requires USD 214 million over six months to support vulnerable people in eastern DRC affected by conflict and the Ebola outbreak.

According to WHO, the Méri refugee camp is located in the Aba health zone, where South Sudanese refugees receive awareness sessions about Bundibugyo virus disease and prevention measures; handwashing and physical distancing are presented as important measures for preventing Ebola infection.

According to a Health Cluster and WHO infographic, with data as of 21 October 2026, eleven partners were delivering mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions in the North Kivu Ebola response, covering 77 health areas in 16 of the region's 34 health zones (47%). Of the 17 health zones that had reported Ebola cases, four had no MHPSS coverage as of that date — Kayna, Alimbongo, Masereka and Musienene — and seven other zones had lost coverage after projects closed. Ten health zones depended on a single MHPSS partner, nine of them on ACOPE alone; ten had MHPSS coverage funded only from partners' own resources. No MHPSS activities specifically for separated children and orphans were reported, and Health Cluster and WHO stated that 3W (Who does What Where) data must be updated to confirm the reported coverage figures.

The IPC analysis published on 30 October 2026 finds 28.8 million people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo experiencing acute food insecurity during the September–December 2026 period. According to IPC data as reported by Save the Children on 30 October 2026, this is an increase of more than 2.3 million from the 26.5 million people recorded for January–June 2026. That would amount to nearly a quarter of the population, by a reported estimate of nearly 120 million. Persistent conflict in eastern DRC and the expanding Ebola outbreak are driving the worsening food security crisis.

According to IPC projections as reported by Save the Children on 30 October 2026, 30.3 million people in the DRC are projected to face crisis or worse levels of hunger by mid-2027. North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, reportedly the areas hardest hit by Ebola and conflict, are reportedly expected to be worst affected by hunger. Reporting published the same day indicates the number of acutely food-insecure people is expected to rise further in the coming months. According to Save the Children, the expanding Ebola outbreak is worsening hunger through movement restrictions, disrupted livelihoods, rising household costs and pressure on health services.

The EVD outbreak in Ituri and Haut-Uélé comes on top of a pre-existing humanitarian crisis marked by conflict, displacement, school closures and damage to school infrastructure, according to an Education Cluster situation note published on ReliefWeb. As of 2026-10-23, 29 schools in Ituri had been declared affected by EVD, with 36 confirmed cases and 17 deaths, per the note. Nine additional affected schools were reported between 2026-10-13 and 2026-10-23, together hosting 5,037 pupils and 187 teachers, according to the note.

Teacher training is a major gap, according to the note, which describes the situation as of 2026-10-24: only 646 of 23,484 teachers (2.8%) had been trained, and 22,838 remained to be trained. Cascade training of teachers is reportedly being considered as a response. In Jina, Ituri, nine schools did not operate on 2026-10-05, per the note.

The note describes the education situation in Ituri as of 2026-10-24 and combines data with different dates and geographic scopes, so it is not a simultaneous snapshot.

Sources: reliefweb.int — IOM Situation Report No. 13: Multi-Country Bundibugyo Ebola Response, 3–9 August 2026; crisisresponse.iom.int — IOM Multi-Country EVD Preparedness and Response Plan; unocha.org — OCHA DRC Ebola Situation Overview, Week 32 (14 August 2026)

Community deaths and surveillance gaps

Most Ebola deaths in affected DRC communities are occurring outside treatment centres. This highlights the need for stronger community surveillance, contact tracing and earlier referral.

The cited account reports that the outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May 2026, and that by 20 August 2026 reported cases had risen to more than 4,500 and the death toll had exceeded 2,100. The cited account describes the outbreak as the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak in history. The cited account reports that misinformation and distrust about Ebola have contributed to attacks on ambulances and health teams. The cited account describes faith actors as trusted in local communities and says they can help counter misconceptions, misinformation and promote public-health messages during crises. The cited account presents working with local faith leaders as important to counter misinformation and distrust.

According to a WHO account republished by ReliefWeb, disinformation in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is hampering care-seeking during the Ebola response [1][5]. According to the account, locally circulating claims portrayed Ebola as a commercial scheme and said patients received lethal injections in treatment centres [5].

The account describes a six-year-old child with suspected Ebola symptoms whose mother, identified by the pseudonym Jeanne, delayed going to a treatment centre out of fear after hearing that hospitals would give her child harmful injections [2][3]. According to the account, the illness began with fever and vomiting, and the mother initially self-medicated because she believed it was malaria [4]. The account also says the mother took her son to a traditional healer, who recommended transfer to a health facility as his condition worsened [6]. According to the account, the child died 48 hours after finally being taken to a health facility in a critical condition [2].

The WHO piece frames delayed care-seeking driven by disinformation as a cause of avoidable Ebola deaths, under the message that disinformation kills and care saves lives [7].

In the most recent 24-hour reporting period to 24 October 2026, WHO reported 88 new confirmed Ebola cases and 38 deaths, including 26 community deaths and 12 deaths in Ebola treatment centres. New cases by province were Ituri 44, Nord-Kivu 39 and Haut-Uélé 5.

Sources: crisisresponse.iom.int — IOM Multi-Country EVD Preparedness and Response Plan; news.un.org — UN News: Most Ebola deaths in DRC occur outside treatment centres

Cross-border movement and regional preparedness

The outbreak is affecting cross-border movements and regional preparedness, including the movement of health and humanitarian workers, cargo and commercial travellers.

For Situation Report No. 13 covering 3–9 August 2026, IOM reported supporting 16,557,079 health screenings, 225 points of entry or control, and reaching 13,111,025 people through risk communication and community engagement activities.

On 20 August 2026, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo reportedly launched the national 'Congo River Without Ebola' initiative, an emergency response operating between Kisangani and Kinshasa to prevent transmission of Bundibugyo virus disease along the Congo River. The initiative is reportedly implemented with support from an interagency Ebola preparedness and response mechanism involving WHO, IOM, UNICEF and WFP. On 20 August 2026, the United Nations reportedly provided 9 million US dollars in catalytic funding through OCHA Funds for the initiative, according to OCHA/UN. The initiative is intended to protect the Congo River, described in the source as the country's main waterway, connecting millions of people and supporting a large share of national commercial exchanges.

According to WHO, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan are strengthening surveillance along their shared border in response to Ebola. WHO describes Aba as a strategic surveillance point along the border, and reports that cross-border travel and refugee movements between the two countries create a major surveillance challenge requiring constant vigilance on both sides.

WHO (published 28 Oct 2026) reported South Sudan screened 54,602 travellers at points of entry on 25–26 Oct 2026 and is screening air arrivals at Juba International Airport. WHO updates published 28 Oct 2026 also reported that Kenya, which had been managing a 9-case BVD cluster, is releasing contacts, and Nigeria, which confirmed an imported case, is medevacking that case.

Sources: reliefweb.int — IOM Situation Report No. 13: Multi-Country Bundibugyo Ebola Response, 3–9 August 2026; crisisresponse.iom.int — IOM Multi-Country EVD Preparedness and Response Plan; who.int — WHO Disease Outbreak News: Bundibugyo Ebola in DRC

The vaccine and treatment gap

The Bundibugyo virus outbreak has no licensed vaccine or approved virus-specific treatment.

Sources: who.int — WHO Disease Outbreak News: Bundibugyo Ebola in DRC

Vaccine response

According to WHO, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo requested the release of Ervebo vaccines from the global Ebola vaccine stockpile, managed by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision, for the current Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak. WHO reported on 21 August 2026 that the ICG informed the DRC government on Monday of an immediate initial release of 70,000 Ervebo doses. WHO and Africa CDC welcomed the allocation, according to the WHO report.

According to WHO's 21 August 2026 report, the allocation comprised 20,000 doses for a Phase 3 clinical trial on Ervebo's impact against Bundibugyo virus and 50,000 doses for frontline and health workers, in line with current WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recommendations. Ervebo is licensed and recommended for use in outbreaks of Ebola virus disease caused by the virus previously called Zaire ebolavirus, according to WHO.

According to the cited WHO material, it was not known whether Ervebo protects humans against Bundibugyo virus; early laboratory and animal data suggested it might provide some protection. The Phase 3 clinical trial was expected to provide important new evidence about Ervebo's effectiveness against Bundibugyo virus, according to WHO.

Nigeria reportedly confirmed one imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory, according to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which reported laboratory confirmation on 20 October 2026. The ministry reported that the patient was a woman with recent travel history from Uganda, that her symptoms began on 7 October 2026, four days after her arrival in Nigeria, and that she sought care at a private health facility in Abuja on 11 October 2026. As of 21 October 2026, the patient was reported to be in isolation and receiving medical care. As of 21 October 2026, reports suggested Nigeria was the fifth country to detect the virus since the DRC outbreak was declared on 15 May 2026.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reported that 44 contacts had been identified and were being monitored as of 21 October 2026. Nigeria reportedly intensified infection-prevention and control measures at the private health facility where the patient sought care, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reportedly activated its incident management system to coordinate the response.

On 17 August 2026, WFP said Ebola has spread to an eighth province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On 18 October 2026, the DRC Ministry of Health reported 97 new confirmed cases — 48 in North Kivu, 42 in Ituri, and 7 in Haut-Uélé — along with 41 deaths, including 30 community deaths, and 20 patient recoveries [6][7]. The same report indicated a national contact-follow-up rate of 76.9 per cent and that laboratories analyzed 500 samples with a reported positivity rate of 19.4 per cent [8].

According to an Education Cluster, Save the Children and UNICEF report published on ReliefWeb on 3 November 2026, an Ebola virus disease outbreak is affecting schools in the PROVED Nord Kivu 2 education sub-division in North Kivu. As of 30 October 2026, 50 confirmed positive EVD cases have been recorded in 44 schools since the start of the school year; the report describes the situation in schools as worsening.

The same report lists the urgent needs as infrared thermometers (thermoflash), teacher training on EVD, and infection prevention and control / WASH (IPC WASH) kits.

Expert groups convened by the World Health Organization recommended adding two new Ebola vaccine candidates to the ongoing Tumaini clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to WHO. The candidates are ChAdOx1, developed by the University of Oxford with the Serum Institute of India, and Moderna's mRNA-1469, according to WHO.

Per WHO, the recommendation marks the first time that vaccines specifically designed against Bundibugyo virus — the cause of the current outbreak — will be evaluated during an outbreak of the disease. WHO's independent Technical Advisory Group on Candidate Vaccines Prioritization recommended both candidates for further clinical evaluation, based on available preclinical and early clinical evidence, according to WHO, and the vaccine manufacturers have been informed of the recommendation.

The vaccine candidates will enter the Tumaini trial only after national approvals are obtained, according to WHO; the reporting does not indicate those approvals have been granted.

Sources: reliefweb.int — IOM Situation Report No. 13: Multi-Country Bundibugyo Ebola Response, 3–9 August 2026

Claims and evidence

As of 10 August 2026, the DRC reported 4,449 confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola cases, including 2,061 deaths, according to the WHO estimate cited by IOM.

Claimant: WHO estimate cited by IOM

Evidence status: likely

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the provided claims

Independent assessment: IOM situation report relays WHO estimate; not independently verified in provided claims

Sources: reliefweb.int — IOM Situation Report No. 13: Multi-Country Bundibugyo Ebola Response, 3–9 August 2026; crisisresponse.iom.int — IOM Multi-Country EVD Preparedness and Response Plan

The 2026 Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is the largest Ebola outbreak ever reported in the DRC and is expanding faster than previous Ebola outbreaks there.

Claimant: WHO

Evidence status: confirmed

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the provided claims

Independent assessment: WHO and IOM both state this

Sources: who.int — WHO Disease Outbreak News: Bundibugyo Ebola in DRC; crisisresponse.iom.int — IOM Multi-Country EVD Preparedness and Response Plan

By 12 August 2026, the outbreak had expanded to 54 health zones across six DRC provinces.

Claimant: WHO

Evidence status: likely

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the provided claims

Independent assessment: WHO reported; not independently verified in provided claims

Sources: who.int — WHO Disease Outbreak News: Bundibugyo Ebola in DRC

The outbreak is unfolding in eastern DRC amid armed conflict, large-scale displacement and acute humanitarian needs that constrain humanitarian access and complicate the response.

Claimant: ReliefWeb, IOM, OCHA

Evidence status: confirmed

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the provided claims

Independent assessment: Multiple humanitarian sources confirm

Sources: reliefweb.int — IOM Situation Report No. 13: Multi-Country Bundibugyo Ebola Response, 3–9 August 2026; crisisresponse.iom.int — IOM Multi-Country EVD Preparedness and Response Plan; unocha.org — OCHA DRC Ebola Situation Overview, Week 32 (14 August 2026)

Most Ebola deaths in affected DRC communities are occurring outside treatment centres, highlighting the need for stronger community surveillance, contact tracing and earlier referral.

Claimant: IOM, UN News

Evidence status: confirmed

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the provided claims

Independent assessment: Multiple sources confirm

Sources: crisisresponse.iom.int — IOM Multi-Country EVD Preparedness and Response Plan; news.un.org — UN News: Most Ebola deaths in DRC occur outside treatment centres

The Bundibugyo virus outbreak has no licensed vaccine or approved virus-specific treatment.

Claimant: WHO

Evidence status: confirmed

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the provided claims

Independent assessment: WHO states this; no counterclaim in provided claims

Sources: who.int — WHO Disease Outbreak News: Bundibugyo Ebola in DRC

Timeline

  1. — IOM reports large-scale screening and risk communication activities

    For Situation Report No. 13 covering 3–9 August 2026, IOM reported supporting 16,557,079 health screenings, 225 points of entry or control, and reaching 13,111,025 people through risk communication and community engagement activities.

    Sources: crisisresponse.iom.int — IOM Multi-Country EVD Preparedness and Response Plan

  2. — DRC reports 4,449 confirmed cases and 2,061 deaths

    As of 10 August 2026, the DRC reported 4,449 confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola cases, including 2,061 deaths, according to the WHO estimate cited by IOM.

    Sources: reliefweb.int — IOM Situation Report No. 13: Multi-Country Bundibugyo Ebola Response, 3–9 August 2026; crisisresponse.iom.int — IOM Multi-Country EVD Preparedness and Response Plan

  3. — Outbreak expands to 54 health zones across six provinces

    By 12 August 2026, WHO reported that the outbreak had expanded to 54 health zones across six DRC provinces.

    Sources: who.int — WHO Disease Outbreak News: Bundibugyo Ebola in DRC

  4. — Outbreak reaches Bas-Uélé, six provinces affected

    By mid-August 2026, the outbreak had reached Bas-Uélé, making six DRC provinces affected, according to WHO.

    Sources: who.int — WHO Disease Outbreak News: Bundibugyo Ebola in DRC

  5. — ReliefWeb-cited account reports PHEIC declaration for eastern DRC Ebola outbreak

    The cited account reports that the eastern DRC Ebola outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May 2026.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-08)

  6. — By 20 August 2026, ReliefWeb-cited account reports more than 4,500 cases and more than 2,100 deaths

    By 20 August 2026, according to ReliefWeb's cited account, reported cases had risen to more than 4,500 and the death toll had exceeded 2,100.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-08)

  7. — DRC reportedly launches 'Congo River Without Ebola' initiative

    The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo reportedly launched a national emergency response between Kisangani and Kinshasa to prevent transmission of Bundibugyo virus disease along the Congo River.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-08)

  8. — 10 Bundibugyo cases reported in Kisangani

    As of 20 August 2026, 10 cases of Bundibugyo virus disease had been reported in Kisangani, according to a WHO report reproduced by ReliefWeb.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-08)

  9. — UN reportedly provides $9 million catalytic funding

    On 20 August 2026, the United Nations reportedly provided 9 million US dollars in catalytic funding through OCHA Funds for the initiative, according to OCHA/UN.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-08)

  10. — WHO, 21 August 2026: ICG informed DRC government on Monday of immediate initial release of 70,000 Ervebo doses

    WHO reported on 21 August 2026 that the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision informed the DRC government on Monday of an immediate initial release of 70,000 Ervebo doses for the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak, including 20,000 for a Phase 3 clinical trial and 50,000 for frontline and health workers.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-08)

  11. — Mercy Corps July 2026 incident analysis period ends

    According to Mercy Corps' partially confirmed July 2026 incident analysis, 97 Ebola-related incidents were recorded across the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 2 and 31 July 2026, up from 68 during the preceding 47-day period; the analysis indicates Ituri remained the most affected province, North Kivu accounted for a substantially larger share, and Tshopo and Haut-Uélé newly appeared in monitoring.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-08)

  12. — Red Cross volunteers injured during humanitarian activity in DRC

    According to a joint statement by the Red Cross Societies of the DRC and Uganda, IFRC, and ICRC, two volunteers were reportedly injured on 18 August 2026 while attempting to conduct a safe and dignified humanitarian activity.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-08)

  13. — Red Cross volunteers attacked in Beni, North Kivu

    According to a joint statement by the Red Cross Societies of the DRC and Uganda, IFRC, and ICRC, three volunteers involved in the Ebola response were reportedly violently attacked and injured in Beni, North Kivu Province on 19 August 2026, and response equipment was destroyed.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-08)

  14. — Red Cross organizations express concern about attacks on Ebola-response personnel

    A joint statement by the Red Cross Societies of the DRC and Uganda, IFRC, and ICRC reported that, as of 24 August 2026, 12 Red Cross volunteers had been injured in 11 violent incidents linked to the Ebola response, with ambulances damaged, including one set on fire, and emergency-response equipment destroyed. The statement said the reported attacks occurred 100 days after the official declaration of the outbreak.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-08)

  15. — Laboratory confirmation of Bundibugyo virus infection reported in Nigeria

    According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, laboratory testing confirmed Bundibugyo virus infection on 20 October 2026, and Nigeria reportedly confirmed one imported case in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  16. — 44 contacts under monitoring reported in Nigeria

    The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reported 44 contacts had been identified and were being monitored as of 21 October 2026. Nigeria reportedly intensified infection-prevention and control measures at the private health facility where the patient sought care, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reportedly activated its incident management system. As of 21 October 2026, reports suggested Nigeria was the fifth country to detect the virus since the DRC outbreak was declared on 15 May 2026.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  17. — WFP reports Ebola spread to eighth DRC province and operational constraints

    On 17 August 2026, WFP said Ebola has spread to an eighth province in the DRC. WFP also said it is delivering food assistance, building treatment centres, and providing logistics, telecommunications and air services amid conflict, hunger, insecurity and poor roads. WFP stated it requires USD 214 million over six months for eastern DRC.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  18. — DRC Ministry of Health report cites cumulative BVD figures as of 18 October 2026

    According to the DRC Ministry of Health, reported cumulative confirmed cases as of 18 October 2026 were 9,552 with 4,602 confirmed deaths and a reported case-fatality rate of 48.2 per cent; reported figures indicated 66 health zones in 8 provinces had reported at least one confirmed case, Ituri accounted for 72.9 per cent of cumulative cases, and transmission remained concentrated in Ituri and North Kivu.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  19. — DRC Ministry of Health reports 97 cases and 41 deaths on 18 October 2026

    The DRC Ministry of Health reported 97 new confirmed cases on 18 October 2026 — 48 in North Kivu, 42 in Ituri, and 7 in Haut-Uélé — along with 41 deaths, including 30 community deaths, and 20 recoveries; reported contact follow-up was 76.9 per cent, and laboratories analyzed 500 samples with a reported positivity rate of 19.4 per cent.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  20. — IOM third-round Ebola preparedness survey period covers 1–30 September 2026 in South Sudan

    According to IOM, its third-round Ebola preparedness Flow Monitoring Survey in South Sudan covered 1–30 September 2026. The survey included an Ebola Virus Disease module examining travellers' awareness, knowledge of where to report suspected cases, and intended sources of care if they became ill. According to IOM, entries exceeded exits at six of eight flow monitoring points during the 1–30 September 2026 survey period; IOM reported that Nimule Border accounted for 54% of all counted movements during that period, and that Nimule Border, Juba International Airport, and Jale together accounted for 85%. IOM also reported that Juba was the destination for 68% of inflow respondents and the departure county for 73% of outflow respondents in the 1–30 September 2026 survey. IOM reported that 99% of respondents reported awareness of Ebola and 97% had received Ebola prevention information during the previous month, as measured in the 1–30 September 2026 survey.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  21. — Preliminary report of nurse killed in Bafwasende during Ebola response

    According to preliminary reports from the Provincial Health Division in Kisangani, a nurse working for the Ebola response was killed by protesters in Bafwasende on 24 October 2026. In a statement dated 25 October 2026, Julien Harneis condemned the attack, called for a thorough investigation, and urged communities to protect health workers and allow them to work safely.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  22. — Community outreach on Bundibugyo virus at Nduta religious gathering reported

    A ReliefWeb report published 26 October 2026 described health teams conducting awareness outreach at a religious gathering in Nduta, Alimbongo health zone, Lubero territory, held to mark the retirement of a leader of the 55th CEBCE, while the report said health authorities and WHO were relying on influential community voices. The report said the outreach presented prevention as direct dialogue between health services and residents.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  23. — FAO DIEM report on Ebola and conflict impacts on agricultural livelihoods posted on ReliefWeb

    According to the FAO DIEM report posted on ReliefWeb on 28 October 2026, the qualitative assessment covered Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, used semi-structured key informant interviews, and is described as the first stage of a larger study that will integrate quantitative household survey data in the coming months. The report is credited to Filippo Fossi and Patrick Minyangu.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  24. — WHO: DRC Bundibugyo outbreak reaches 9,964 cases and 4,851 deaths

    Per the WHO South Sudan Week 43 update (published 28 Oct 2026), cumulative cases rose from 9,637 in Week 42 to 9,964, with 4,851 deaths.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  25. — WHO: South Sudan screened 54,602 travellers at points of entry

    WHO (published 28 Oct 2026) reported that South Sudan screened 54,602 travellers at points of entry over 25–26 Oct 2026 and is screening air arrivals at Juba International Airport.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  26. — WHO: Kenya releasing BVD contacts; Nigeria medevacking imported case

    According to WHO updates published 28 Oct 2026, Kenya is releasing contacts from a 9-case BVD cluster and Nigeria is medevacking its imported case.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  27. — Health Cluster and WHO report MHPSS coverage in North Kivu Ebola response

    According to Health Cluster and WHO, 11 partners delivered mental health and psychosocial support across 77 health areas in 16 of North Kivu's 34 health zones (47%) as of 21 Oct 2026.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  28. — Four Ebola-affected health zones lack MHPSS coverage

    According to Health Cluster and WHO, four of the 17 health zones that had reported Ebola cases had no MHPSS coverage as of 21 Oct 2026: Kayna, Alimbongo, Masereka and Musienene; seven other zones had lost coverage after project closures.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  29. — Ten health zones rely on a single MHPSS partner

    According to Health Cluster and WHO, ten health zones depended on a single MHPSS partner as of 21 Oct 2026, nine of them on ACOPE alone.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  30. — MHPSS funding gaps and no reported child-specific activities

    According to Health Cluster and WHO, ten health zones had MHPSS coverage funded only from partners' own resources and no MHPSS activities specifically for separated children and orphans were reported as of 21 Oct 2026.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  31. — WHO reports two Bundibugyo rapid response teams formed in Beni

    According to a WHO report dated 28 October 2026, a three-day training in Beni, North Kivu, prepared 48 health professionals and formed two new rapid response teams ready for deployment to affected and remote areas; a full-scale simulation on the final day tested coordination, investigation, case management and community engagement.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  32. — WHO: more than 2,309 confirmed Bundibugyo cases, 1,293 deaths as of 25 October 2026

    According to a WHO report published on ReliefWeb on 29 October 2026, as of 25 October 2026 more than 2,309 confirmed cases and 1,293 deaths (case fatality rate 56%) had been recorded; the report does not state whether the figures cover North Kivu only or the whole outbreak.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  33. — WHO reports geographic spread, case fatality rate and latest daily Ebola notifications in DR Congo

    According to WHO, as of 24 October 2026, the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo had affected 66 health zones across eight provinces (Haut-Uélé, Ituri, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, Tshopo, Bas-Uélé, Sud-Ubangi and Nord-Ubangi), with a case fatality rate of 48.6%; 2,670 people had been declared recovered. In the most recent 24-hour period, 88 new confirmed cases and 38 deaths were notified, including 26 community deaths and 12 deaths in Ebola treatment centres.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  34. — IPC releases new acute food insecurity analysis for DRC

    The IPC analysis published on 30 October 2026 finds 28.8 million people experiencing acute food insecurity in the DRC during September–December 2026, up from 26.5 million in January–June 2026 according to IPC data reported by Save the Children; according to IPC projections as reported by Save the Children, 30.3 million could face crisis or worse hunger by mid-2027.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

  35. — Education Cluster reports 29 schools in Ituri affected by EVD

    According to an Education Cluster situation note published on ReliefWeb, as of 2026-10-23, 29 schools in Ituri had been declared affected by Ebola virus disease, with 36 confirmed cases and 17 deaths. Nine additional affected schools were reported between 2026-10-13 and 2026-10-23, together hosting 5,037 pupils and 187 teachers, according to the note.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-11)

  36. — Nine schools in Jina, Ituri did not operate

    Nine schools in Jina, Ituri did not operate on 2026-10-05, according to the Education Cluster situation note.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-11)

  37. — School EVD case count in PROVED Nord Kivu 2 as of 30 October 2026

    An Education Cluster, Save the Children and UNICEF report published on ReliefWeb on 3 November 2026 states that an Ebola virus disease outbreak is affecting schools in the PROVED Nord Kivu 2 education sub-division and that, as of 30 October 2026, 50 confirmed EVD cases have been recorded across 44 schools since the start of the school year; the report describes the situation as worsening and lists urgent needs including infrared thermometers, teacher training and IPC/WASH kits.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-11)

  38. — WHO says its expert groups recommend two new Ebola vaccine candidates for DRC's Tumaini trial

    According to WHO, expert groups convened by the organization recommended adding ChAdOx1 (University of Oxford with Serum Institute of India) and Moderna's mRNA-1469 to the ongoing Tumaini clinical trial in DRC. Per WHO, the recommendation marks the first time vaccines specifically designed against Bundibugyo virus will be evaluated during an outbreak of the disease. The candidates will enter the trial only after national approvals; WHO's reporting does not say those approvals have been granted.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-11)

Open questions

  • How many confirmed cases and deaths has the outbreak caused since the WHO estimate of 4,449 cases and 2,061 deaths as of 10 August 2026?
  • Has the outbreak spread beyond the 54 health zones in six provinces reported by 12 August 2026?
  • Will any vaccine or treatment candidate receive emergency use listing for the Bundibugyo virus, which has no licensed vaccine or approved virus-specific treatment?
  • Will stronger community surveillance, contact tracing and earlier referral reduce the share of deaths outside treatment centres?
  • What cross-border movement and regional preparedness measures have been reported, and have health and humanitarian workers, cargo and commercial travellers faced disruptions?
  • When did the outbreak actually begin?

Source registry

  1. reliefweb.int — IOM Situation Report No. 13: Multi-Country Bundibugyo Ebola Response, 3–9 August 2026; humanitarian; 2026-08-14
  2. who.int — WHO Disease Outbreak News: Bundibugyo Ebola in DRC; official_position; date not supplied
  3. insp.cd — DRC COUSP Situation Report No. 081: 51 health zones, five provinces (3 August 2026); primary_document; date not supplied
  4. news.un.org — UN News: Most Ebola deaths in DRC occur outside treatment centres; news; date not supplied
  5. ohchr.org — UN experts call for attention to Indigenous Peoples' vulnerability in DRC Ebola epidemic; human_rights; date not supplied
  6. rfi.fr — Community mistrust and the Ebola response in DRC; news; date not supplied
  7. rfi.fr — Ebola progression in Ituri displacement centres; news; date not supplied
  8. nature.com — Genomic report of a Bundibugyo virus variant in the 2026 DRC and Uganda outbreak; research; date not supplied
  9. cdc.gov — CDC MMWR Notes from the Field: Bundibugyo Ebola in DRC and Uganda, May 2026; official_position; date not supplied
  10. unocha.org — OCHA DRC Ebola Situation Overview, Week 32 (14 August 2026); humanitarian; date not supplied
  11. sante.gouv.cd — DRC Ministry of Health: Regional Coordination with Uganda and South Sudan in Kampala; official_position; date not supplied
  12. crisisresponse.iom.int — IOM Multi-Country EVD Preparedness and Response Plan; humanitarian; date not supplied
  13. github.com — INRB-UMIE/BDBV2026-Data: epidemiological analysis repository; primary_document; date not supplied

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