Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
MSF staff member tests positive for Ebola disease and is medically evacuated
Statement 1 October 2026Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) confirms that one of our staff members who had been working on the Ebola response in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has tested positive for Bundibugyo virus disease. This person is being safely evacuated under a strict medical protocol in close coordination with the relevant health authorities in the DRC and the Netherlands, where the patient will be received by a designated hospital.
MSF cannot share specific details regarding individual medical evacuations in order to respect medical confidentiality and protect the privacy of our colleague.
The human cost of this crisis is unprecedented in the DRC, with communities facing the largest Ebola disease outbreak ever recorded in the country. Since May, more than 8,000 confirmed cases and 4,000 deaths have been reported, with the true toll likely higher due to gaps in surveillance and case detection.
Healthcare workers are among those at greatest risk. Despite providing its staff with training and the highest possible levels of protection, MSF recognises that the risk of exposure can never be completely eliminated.
MSF stands in solidarity with all those working on the frontlines of the Ebola response. Their courage, commitment and determination are essential to protecting communities and saving lives.
MSF is currently responding to the Ebola disease outbreak across Ituri, North Kivu, Tshopo, and Haut-Uélé provinces. We remain committed to working alongside the Congolese health authorities and with affected communities to try and bring the outbreak under control.
MSF staff tests positive for Ebola disease and medically evacuated | MSF
MSF confirms that one of our staff members who had been working on the Ebola response in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has tested positive for Bundibugyo virus disease.
Translation Google
Current information Ebola
View the latest news about Ebola here.October 1, 2026: Ebola patient en route to the Netherlands
In recent days, it became known that an aid worker in the Democratic Republic of Congo has fallen ill. The patient tested positive for Ebola. For this reason, the patient is being repatriated and will be admitted to the hospital later today.LUMC(Leiden University Medical Center).What is Ebola?
The Ebola virus is the causative agent of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). This is a serious infectious disease. Patients experience headaches, muscle pain, and high fever, often severe intestinal problems, and sometimes bleeding from body orifices. Many patients die. Currently, there is a major outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The aid worker also worked there.Infection can only occur through direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids from a sick person, such as vomit, urine, or saliva. Because the patient is in a special ward at the LUMC, the virus cannot spread to other parts of the hospital or outside.
The Netherlands is well prepared
The protection of healthcare providers, transport in special ambulances, and care for the patient must be carried out properly and safely.To be well prepared, hospitals, ambulance services and others such as theGGDThe RIVM and I often deal with these kinds of situations. Here, it is clear exactly what needs to be done. We can then provide the best possible care to the patient, with maximum safety for healthcare professionals.
The virus does not occur in the Netherlands.
Causative agents of viral hemorrhagic fever include, for example, the Ebola virus, Marburg virus, and Lassa virus. These diseases do not occur in the Netherlands.Sometimes, healthcare workers who fall ill abroad are brought back (repatriated) to the Netherlands for treatment. The last time this happened was in 2019, when it involved a patient with Lassa fever.
A new province has been added where an infection has been confirmed: Sud-Ubangi (South Ubangi).
The virus has now been reported in 7 provinces:
- Ituri
- North Kivu
- South Kivu
- Haut-Uélé
- Tshopo
- Bas-Uélé
- Sud-Ubangi
- Infections: A total of 7,672 confirmed cases have been reported.
- Deaths: 3,699 people have died from the virus.