DR Congo Ebola deaths pass 5,000, government data show

Ebola deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have passed 5,000, government data announced on 30 October 2026 show, Al Jazeera said. It described the continuing outbreak as the country’s deadliest on record.

The outbreak was declared on 15 May 2026. WHO says Nigeria reported a laboratory-confirmed imported Bundibugyo case in Abuja on 20 October 2026. The previously reported figure of more than 10,000 infections is a cumulative count of people infected since the declaration, distinct from the latest death tally.

Where the outbreak has spread

The outbreak has reached 8 of the DRC’s 26 provinces. Al Jazeera said delayed detection, conflict and strained health services had helped the virus spread faster than in past outbreaks.

An earlier World Health Organization (WHO) snapshot, with a cutoff of 20 October, counted 9,704 confirmed cases, including 4,687 deaths. Those figures cover confirmed infections and deaths at an earlier date than the government’s latest announcement.

WHO identified the affected provinces as Ituri, Nord Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, Bas-Uélé, Sud Kivu, Sud-Ubangi and Nord-Ubangi. Ituri was the epicenter; the Mandima, Beni and Bunia health zones had recorded the most cases and deaths during the preceding 21 days.

WHO dates Kenya’s first laboratory-confirmed imported case to 6 October 2026, in a traveler from the DRC who had passed through Uganda. Nigeria reported an imported case in Abuja on 20 October 2026. Uganda has also reported cases.

Al Jazeera described this year’s outbreak as the second-largest Ebola outbreak ever, behind the 2014-2016 epidemic in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Containing Bundibugyo

The Bundibugyo strain is responsible for the outbreak, and no treatments or vaccines are approved specifically for it. That gap does not prevent supportive care: WHO says rapid testing and care that treats patients’ symptoms can reduce deaths.

WHO says Bundibugyo spreads between people through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. Inadequate infection prevention in health facilities and direct contact with bodies during unsafe burials can amplify transmission. The incubation period—the time between infection and symptoms—is 2 to 21 days, and infected people are not infectious until symptoms begin.

DRC health authorities, WHO and partners are expanding disease monitoring, laboratory testing, infection prevention, patient care and community outreach. WHO says they are also seeking resources to close critical funding gaps.

WHO’s earlier snapshot said Kenya’s secondary cases were isolated and receiving supportive care, and all 135 identified contacts had been traced and quarantined. In Nigeria, authorities had intensified contact tracing and infection prevention, including protective equipment for health workers, while investigating where the imported case became infected.

Saudi Arabia extends restrictions to Kenya

Saudi Arabia announced restrictions concerning Kenya on 30 October, the Saudi Press Agency said, as cited by Al Jazeera. The measures suspend Saudi citizens’ travel to Kenya and the issuance of all visa types to travelers from Kenya.

The entry prohibition covers travelers arriving from Kenya, including through third countries, who stayed in Kenya or another Ebola-affected country within the previous 21 days. Saudi Arabia had already suspended travel to and entry from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan in June.

WHO advises against restrictions on travel to or trade with affected countries. Its recommendations call for coordinated outbreak control, stronger cross-border cooperation, disease monitoring and preparedness.

Vaccine testing and risk review

In its 23 October 2026 update, WHO said its rapid risk assessment was being revised to reassess risks in affected countries, across the African region and globally.

The update also announced the launch that day of TUMAINI, a Phase 2/3 clinical trial testing Bundibugyo vaccine candidates, with the first participants enrolled in Bunia. WHO said the trial aims to generate evidence needed to protect people against the disease and prevent future outbreaks.