Ebola spreads to new zone in eastern DRC as Kenya records first imported death

In an October 8 update, WHO said the Bundibugyo Ebola virus entered Alimbongo health zone in North Kivu, adding four confirmed cases and two deaths to the epidemic. The DRC now reports 8,728 confirmed infections and 4,205 deaths across 64 health zones, with North Kivu accounting for a growing share of new cases. Kenya confirmed its first imported case when a Kenyan national who became ill in the DRC traveled through Uganda, was isolated in Nairobi, and died despite supportive care.

Kenyan health officials have listed 28 contacts and are tracing flight passengers, while Uganda and Kenya have stepped up surveillance. In the DRC, treatment capacity is stretched, with many patients placed in non-specialised facilities and rumors hampering cooperation. Community leaders warn that mistrust could further impede containment, prompting Africa CDC to call for intensified contact tracing and community engagement.