DR Congo: Multi-Country Ebola Bundibugyo Outbreak Update n°23

Please refer to the attached file. According to the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as of 18 October 2026, the country had reported 9, 552 confirmed cases of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), including 4, 602 confirmed deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate of 48. 2 per cent. Since the beginning of the outbreak, 66 health zones across 8 provinces have reported at least 1 confirmed case. Ituri remains the epicentre, accounting for 72. 9 per cent of cumulative confirmed cases. During the reporting period, transmission remained concentrated in Ituri and North Kivu. On 18 October, 97 new confirmed cases were reported (48 in North Kivu, 42 in Ituri and 7 in Haut-Uélé), compared with 88 on 11 October. A total of 41 deaths were reported, including 30 community deaths, while 20 patients recovered. The national contact follow-up rate stood at 76. 9 per cent, down from 81 per cent on 10 October, highlighting continued gaps in contact follow-up in active transmission hotspots. Laboratory testing remained substantial, with 500 samples analyzed on 18 October with a positivity rate of 19. 4 per cent, compared with 20. 8 per cent on 11 October. The outbreak continues to place considerable pressure on frontline response capacities. Since the beginning of the outbreak, 269 frontline workers have been affected, including 180 in Ituri and 45 in North Kivu. Continued infections among frontline personnel reinforce the importance of sustained infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, availability of appropriate protective equipment and operational readiness across affected areas In Kenya, four additional BVD cases were confirmed on 17 October, bringing the national cumulative total to seven confirmed cases, including the deceased index case. The additional cases comprised one close relative of the index case and three health-care workers who had provided care to the index case. Importantly, all four cases were already in quarantine when detected. As of 17 October, 128 of 130 listed contacts (98. 5%) had been traced and were in quarantine, and the Ministry of Health reported no evidence of community transmission. Key highlights include: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported 9, 552 confirmed cases and 4, 602 deaths. Transmission remains concentrated in eastern DRC, with 97 new confirmed cases reported on 18 October, primarily in North Kivu and Ituri In Kenya, four additional cases were confirmed among known contacts already in quarantine, bringing the cumulative total to seven confirmed cases. Authorities report no evidence of community transmission at this stage. IOM has supported more than 48. 2 million health screenings at points of entry and control across affected and at-risk countries since the beginning of the response Nearly 45 million people through risk communication and community engagement activities. Preparedness and response activities continue across DRC, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Kenya, while preparedness efforts are ongoing in several neighboring countries to strengthen surveillance, community engagement, operational readiness, and cross-border coordination. Population mobility assessments and flow monitoring continue to guide risk-based interventions along high-risk mobility corridors, border areas, and other mobility-affected settings. For more information, please consult the report HERE

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