On 20 October 2026, France reported the first documented case of human disease caused by the Shamonda virus. This virus primarily affects animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and horses. WHO is in touch with the French authorities and is closely monitoring the situation. Here is what you need to know ➡️

Nigeria has confirmed one imported case of #Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), becoming the fifth country to detect the virus since an outbreak of the disease was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 15 May 2026. As per the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria (@Fmohnigeria): ▶️ The patient is a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda. ▶️ Her symptoms began on 7 October, four days after she arrived in Nigeria, and she sought care at a private health facility in Abuja on 11 October. ▶️ A laboratory test confirmed Bundibugyo virus on 20 October. ▶️ She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care. ▶️ Investigations are ongoing to establish the likely source of her infection and reconstruct her full travel and exposure history. The ministry, so far, reports that 44 contacts have been identified and are being monitored. Contact tracing is also underway. Rapid identification of cases, timely follow-up of contacts and effective infection prevention and control are critical to contain the spread of the virus. WHO and partners are working with health authorities to strengthen efforts to stop the virus from spreading. WHO urges all countries in the region to sustain a high level of readiness as the outbreak in the DRC continues to evolve. WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, affected countries, and continues to closely monitor and, where necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this event. WHO regularly reviews the latest information to update its assessment of the risks posed by the outbreak. Read the full press release: bit.ly/487wX60

🟦 On 2 October 2026, WHO became aware through media reports of the death of an employee of the Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East, the Russian Federation. 🟦 According to these reports, the individual died on 2 October following hospitalization for severe pneumonia on 29 September, and pneumonic plague was suspected as the cause of death, following occupational exposure in laboratory settings. 🟦 Following requests for verification from WHO, the National Focal Point for the International Health Regulations (2005) (NFP) of the Russian Federation confirmed the death and informed WHO that no case of plague had been registered recently in Irkutsk Oblast, that preventive and control measures had been implemented in accordance with national sanitary legislation, and that the laboratory testing of contacts detected no high-threat pathogens. 🟦 The authorities also reported that no biosecurity incidents had occurred in the laboratory, contrary to reports in the media, and that there were no further case of severe pneumonia linked to this case. 🟦 The NFP informed WHO that the case and all contacts had been tested for a range of microorganisms, including high-threat pathogens. Test results were negative for the tested high-threat pathogens. 🟦 All contacts had been medically followed up in healthcare facilities or at home, and all remained asymptomatic throughout. Quarantine measures were instituted in the hospital where the patient was being treated. 🟦 Based on the information provided by NFP, WHO has not identified evidence of ongoing transmission associated with this event. A key uncertainty remains the absence of a confirmed diagnosis in the deceased laboratory worker. 🟦 WHO will continue to monitor the situation and assess any potential public health implications as further information becomes available. Read the full Disease Outbreak News: Pneumonia of undetermined aetiology, The Russian Federation, 10 October 2026 bit.ly/4ztDunq