The Ugandan Ministry of Health said on Tuesday, October 20, that the woman had travelled to eastern DRC for business before passing through Uganda in early October on her way to Nigeria, where she later developed symptoms and tested positive.
“Travel through Uganda does not establish that infection occurred here,” the ministry said, adding that the location where the woman was exposed to the virus remained under investigation.
The ministry said Nigerian authorities had yet to provide detailed information about the woman’s travel itinerary and clinical history to support further investigations and contact tracing.
Uganda was declared free of Ebola on August 27, 2026, after 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case. The country recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths during the outbreak, which was caused by the Sudan virus.
DRC outbreak spreads to more provinces
The DRC is battling an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease, a rare Ebola strain for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
The outbreak, first identified in Ituri Province in May 2026, has spread to eight provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, Bas-Uele, South Ubangi and North Ubangi.
North Ubangi was among the latest areas affected, with health authorities reporting two cases, including one death, in the Wapinda health zone in October. The province borders the Central African Republic, raising concerns about further cross-border transmission.
The geographical spread has complicated containment efforts, with health authorities relying on surveillance, isolation, contact tracing and coordination with neighbouring countries to limit further infections.
Nigeria confirms Ebola case
Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case in a decade on October 19, involving a woman who had travelled to eastern DRC before passing through Uganda.
The patient developed symptoms on October 7, four days after arriving in Nigeria, and sought treatment at a private hospital in Abuja on October 11. Laboratory tests confirmed Ebola on October 20, and she is receiving treatment in isolation.
Nigerian authorities have identified 44 contacts, including healthcare workers and the patient’s Swiss husband, who are being monitored for possible infection. Investigations are also ongoing to establish where she contracted the virus and reconstruct her travel and exposure history.
Kenya, meanwhile, has reported nine confirmed Ebola cases, including one death, according to the World Health Organization. All nine cases are linked to a single cluster originating from a Kenyan man who travelled from the DRC through Uganda and died in Nairobi on October 5.
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