Ebola disease: Multi-country outbreak 2026

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 facts

• As of 29 October 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where community transmission is ongoing, has reported a total of 10 274 confirmed cases, including 4 992 related deaths (from data up until 28 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.
• On 20 October 2026, an Ebola case was reported in Nigeria. The person has since been medically evacuated to Switzerland. The individual, who had a travel history to Uganda, developed symptoms on 7 October, sought medical care on 11 October, and tested positive on 20 October. As of 29 October 2026, 62 contacts of the case had been identified and were under follow-up. Further contact tracing and epidemiological investigations are ongoing.
• As of 26 October 2026, a total of nine confirmed cases, including two deaths, have been reported in Kenya, all linked to the first case. The last case was reported on 20 October 2026 (a close contact of the first case) and the second death was reported on 23 October 2026.
• ECDC is monitoring the outbreak through its epidemic intelligence activities and actively liaising with partners to support the response.
• Since 26 October 2026, three ECDC experts have been deployed to Nigeria to provide advice and technical support to the EU Delegation in Abuja. Support has also been offered to the Nigerian authorities for surveillance, contact tracing, IPC and preparedness and response.

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. On 26 October, a case reported in Nigeria and a close contact of hers were medically evacuated to Switzerland.

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.