DRC Ebola hits seventh province; Kenya runs burial drill for health workers

Health workers in personal protective equipment simulated the evacuation of deceased Ebola victims using a manikin during a training exercise by a medical charity in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County, Kenya on July 10, 2026. Meanwhile, an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to a seventh province, South-Ubangi, which borders the Central African Republic and Congo-Brazzaville. The governor of South-Ubangi officially declared the outbreak after laboratory confirmation of a suspected case. A patient who died in South-Ubangi had developed symptoms in Kisangani (Tshopo province), travelled through Rwanda and Uganda, then entered Ituri province before crossing the Congo River by boat. Thirty-eight individuals who had contact with the patient have been placed in quarantine. Since the outbreak was first detected in mid-May, it has recorded 6,843 confirmed cases and 3,310 deaths, giving a case fatality rate of about 48%. The current epidemic is driven by the Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists, though several candidates are under trial. The training in Kenya reflects regional preparedness efforts as health authorities monitor cross-border transmission risks.

For Nigerians, this matters because past experience shows Ebola can spread via international travel; the 2014 outbreak was contained only through rapid detection and response. Individuals returning from affected areas who develop fever, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding should seek immediate medical care and avoid contact with others. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control advises maintaining good hand hygiene, avoiding bushmeat, and staying informed about travel advisories. Health workers should ensure infection control protocols are up to date and consider participating in preparedness drills. While no cases have been reported in Nigeria, vigilance at points of entry and prompt reporting of suspicious symptoms remain essential to prevent importation.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/09/11/dr-congo-ebola-outbreak-spreads-to-7th-province/