BENI — The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded to the Alimbongo health zone in North Kivu province, marking the first reported cases in that area. The World Health Organization announced the development on Oct. 8, noting four confirmed cases and two deaths in Alimbongo as of Oct. 6.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, now affects 64 health zones across seven provinces within the DRC. Ituri province continues to report the highest cumulative number of cases, but North Kivu is experiencing a rising share of newly confirmed infections.
Nationwide, the WHO recorded 8,728 confirmed Ebola cases and 4,205 confirmed deaths in the DRC as of Oct. 6. A total of 2,269 individuals have recovered, resulting in a case fatality ratio of 48.2 percent.
Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease on Oct. 6. The patient, a Kenyan citizen residing in the DRC, developed symptoms and received treatment there before traveling through Uganda to Kenya. The patient traveled by road to Kampala and then flew to Nairobi, arriving on Oct. 3. Upon arrival, the individual was isolated in a hospital and tested positive for the virus. Despite receiving medical treatment, the patient died on Oct. 5, the WHO said.
Kenyan health authorities identified 28 individuals who had been in contact with the patient, including family members and healthcare workers. The WHO reported ongoing efforts to locate and monitor passengers and crew members from the flight to Nairobi.
Both Kenya and Uganda have implemented enhanced surveillance and comprehensive contact tracing to identify potentially exposed individuals.
Concerns about a second case in Kenya eased on Oct. 8 when preliminary laboratory results for a suspected Ebola patient in Wajir County came back negative, according to the county governor.
In the DRC, the Ebola response faces significant operational challenges, including limited treatment capacity, persistent insecurity in affected areas and difficulties securing cooperation from some local communities.
Daniel Makasi Levergénois, founder of Watoto Radio, said insecurity and misinformation are undermining containment efforts. Rumors and misconceptions about Ebola in Beni and Butembo, both in North Kivu, have led residents to resist engagement with response teams, he said.
Doctors Without Borders reported on Oct. 5 that North Kivu accounted for nearly 40 percent of newly confirmed cases across the DRC, up from 24 percent at the end of the prior reporting period.
