Kenya moves toward Ebola-free status as Congo outbreak passes 11,000 cases

US News reported on 11 November 2026 that Kenya had discharged its last Ebola patient, which begins a 42-day countdown before the country can be declared free of the disease. Kenya's Ministry of Health had earlier said the countdown starts once the last patient has recovered and been discharged; its last new case was recorded on 19 October, and six recoveries had been reported by early November. In neighbouring Congo, the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved vaccine or treatment, has passed 11,000 cases, according to the same report. The WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern over the outbreak in May. The two countries' situations differ sharply: Kenya is in a monitoring phase, while Congo continues to report cases.