The outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has spread to neighbouring countries, with cases confirmed in Kenya and Nigeria and a patient medically evacuated to Switzerland.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the DRC had reported 10,274 confirmed cases and 4,992 deaths by 29 October. The outbreak has affected eight provinces, with transmission recorded across 67 of the country’s 178 health zones.

Kenya has reported nine cases, including two deaths, linked to an imported infection, while Nigeria confirmed one case on 20 October in a person who had travelled from Uganda. The patient was subsequently evacuated to Switzerland for treatment, while 62 contacts were identified for monitoring.

Health authorities are continuing surveillance and contact tracing across the affected countries. Despite the international spread, the ECDC assesses the likelihood of infection for people living in or travelling to affected areas from the EU/EEA as low, with the risk to the wider EU/EEA population considered very low.

The World Health Organisation has highlighted the challenges of controlling transmission in the DRC, including population movement, insecurity and difficulties accessing healthcare in some affected areas. It said it is working with national authorities and regional partners to strengthen detection, treatment and infection prevention measures.

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