Logo Image
News|Articles|November 9, 2026

Ebola Update: DRC Outbreak Tops 10,000 Cases as Kenya, Nigeria Report Spread

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 10,910 total confirmed Ebola cases and 5234 confirmed deaths as of November 6, 2026, in an outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus.1 The agency describes it as the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record and says it is spreading substantially faster than previous outbreaks.1 CDC's overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low, with no confirmed US cases.1

The DRC outbreak, the country's 17th, surpassed 1000 confirmed cases within 40 days of response activation.1 By comparison, the 2018 DRC outbreak took about 235 days to pass 1000 cases.1

Case Counts by Country

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) accounts for 10,741 confirmed cases and 5230 confirmed deaths.1 Cases have been confirmed in Bas-Uele, Haut-Uele, Ituri, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, Sud-Ubangi, Nord-Ubangi, and Tshopo provinces, though South Kivu has reported no confirmed cases since May 29.1

Kenya reported 9 confirmed cases and 2 deaths as of October 23, all in Nairobi, after a man traveling from DRC through Uganda was hospitalized and died on October 6.1 Further cases were among relatives or health care providers in quarantine at diagnosis, and Kenya's Ministry of Health reports no community spread.1 Nigeria reported its first case on October 20, confirmed as Bundibugyo virus, with 0 deaths.1

Uganda reported 20 confirmed cases, 2 confirmed deaths, 1 probable case, and 1 probable death, with no active cases after the last patient was released July 16.1 France reported 1 confirmed case, released from care July 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bundibugyo virus?

Bundibugyo virus is a type of Ebola virus causing Ebola disease, a severe illness driving the current outbreak in DRC.1

What is the risk to the United States?

CDC says no cases tied to this outbreak have been reported in the US and the risk to the American public and travelers remains low.1

What should returning travelers do?

CDC has guidance for people who recently visited affected areas, including monitoring for symptoms for 21 days after leaving and what to do if they feel sick.1

Response Challenges and Travel Restrictions

CDC cites limited health infrastructure, ongoing conflict, violence against health care workers, shortages of personal protective equipment, frequent cross-border movement, and misinformation as obstacles.1 Health care workers are becoming infected while treating patients.1

Travelers who were in DRC within 21 days of their flight will not be allowed to board commercial flights to the US, and US citizens returning from Uganda or South Sudan must enter through designated airports for enhanced screening.1 After November 3, 2026, all passengers on international flights to the US must attest they were not in DRC during the prior 21 days.1

CDC recommends avoiding all travel to Ituri and Nord-Kivu provinces and nonessential travel to Haut-Uele and Tshopo provinces.1 About 500 CDC staff are involved in the response, including more than 120 deployed to affected countries.1

Guidance for US Clinicians

CDC maintains clinical guidance for Ebola disease, screening and diagnosis guidance for viral hemorrhagic fevers, and infection prevention recommendations for US hospitals.1 It also provides interim guidance for public health assessment and management of travelers arriving from affected countries.1

References
  1. Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation. CDC. November 6, 2026. Accessed November 9, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/ebola/situation-summary/index.html

Related to this article

View more
Ebola Outbreak Tops 10,000 Cases as CDC Cites Spread to Kenya, Nigeria
Ebola Outbreak Tops 10,000 Cases as CDC Cites Spread to Kenya, Nigeria
The CDC reports the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is now the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record. As of October 28, the agency counted 10,305 total confirmed cases and 4,996 total confirmed deaths. The overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low, and no cases tied to this outbreak have been confirmed in the US.
Read more
IDSA/ESCMID Statement on Staphylococcus aureus: Follow-Up Blood Cultures
IDSA/ESCMID Statement on Staphylococcus aureus: Follow-Up Blood Cultures
IDSA and ESCMID released 7 consensus statements to assist in managing individuals with SAB. This review will focus on the adult patient population and additional information on pediatric population statements can be assessed in the guideline. Here is a closer look at Consensus Statement 2: Follow-up Blood Cultures.
Read more