Ebola outbreak expands in eastern DRC as Kenya reports first imported fatal case

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded to a new health zone in North Kivu, while Kenya has confirmed the death of its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease.

The World Health Organization said four confirmed cases, including two deaths, had been recorded in Alimbongo health zone by October 6. The area had not previously reported cases in the current outbreak.

According to the WHO, infections have now been reported in 64 health zones across seven provinces of the DRC. The outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus.

DRC outbreak continues to grow

The WHO recorded 8,728 confirmed cases and 4,205 confirmed deaths in the DRC as of October 6, alongside 2,269 reported recoveries. The crude case fatality ratio was 48.2 percent.

Ituri remained the province with the highest cumulative number of cases, but North Kivu has become an increasingly important centre of new transmission. Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, said North Kivu accounted for nearly 40 percent of newly confirmed cases nationwide in its October 5 update, compared with 24 percent at the end of August.

MSF also reported that 34 percent of confirmed patients were being treated in non-specialised health facilities as of September 28. Stephanie Hoffmann, coordinator of MSF’s Ebola treatment centre in Butembo, said capacity had been under pressure for weeks.

“Because there are not enough beds available, we are sometimes forced to refer confirmed Ebola patients elsewhere, despite the significant risk this poses to the wider community,” Hoffmann said. She added that standards of care at some peripheral facilities did not always meet Ebola treatment requirements.

Imported case confirmed in Kenya

Kenya confirmed its first imported Bundibugyo virus disease case on October 6. The patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC, became ill there and travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi, where the patient arrived on October 3.

The patient was isolated in hospital, tested positive for the virus and died on October 5 despite supportive treatment, according to the WHO.

Kenyan authorities identified 28 contacts, including relatives and healthcare workers. The WHO said efforts were also under way to trace passengers and crew members from the flight to Nairobi. Kenya and Uganda have begun contact tracing and enhanced surveillance.

Preliminary laboratory results for a suspected Ebola case in Wajir County were negative on October 8, according to the county governor. Monitoring continued after the preliminary result.

Contact tracing and community trust

WHO figures showed response teams were following up 23,741 of 29,535 identified contacts as of October 4, equivalent to 80.4 percent. That was below the response target of at least 85 percent.

Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said authorities needed to identify and monitor every contact and quickly detect symptoms to prevent further transmission across families, communities and borders.

Africa CDC has called for active case finding, systematic contact tracing, daily follow-up of exposed people and sustained engagement with local communities.

Daniel Makasi Levergénois, founder of Watoto Radio, said insecurity and misinformation were undermining containment efforts. Alberto Lusenge, a community leader in Beni, warned that mistrust could discourage residents from reporting symptoms or cooperating with health workers.

The WHO said there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease. Early detection, supportive care and infection-prevention measures remain central to the response.