An Ebola outbreak that has now reached several countries dominated week 45. There were also two decisions by the US Food and Drug Administration, new figures on respiratory infections in Germany and a measles update for the Americas.
In short: the WHO reports more than 10,600 confirmed cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the outbreak caused by Bundibugyo ebolavirus, while the ECDC says the risk for people in Europe remains very low. In Germany, mostly common-cold viruses are circulating and a flu wave has not yet begun. The FDA also granted accelerated approval to a new head and neck cancer treatment and tentatively approved the first generic version of the HIV prevention injection lenacapavir.
1. Ebola: Bundibugyo virus outbreak keeps growing
What happened? According to the WHO situation report of 6 November, the Democratic Republic of the Congo had recorded 10,668 confirmed cases, including 5,198 deaths, by 3 November – almost one in two patients has died. Eight provinces are affected. Kenya reports nine confirmed cases with two deaths, Nigeria one imported case. A phase 2/3 vaccine trial has been running in the Congo since 23 October, because the licensed Ebola vaccine targets a different virus species.
What does it mean? The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) rates the risk for the general EU population as very low. Background on the disease in our encyclopedia: Ebola virus disease, and on aid work on the ground in Doctors Without Borders: Current missions in November 2026.
2. Germany: Lots of colds, no flu wave yet
What happened? According to the Robert Koch Institute weekly report of 5 November, Germany saw around 4.7 million new acute respiratory illnesses in the week from 26 October to 1 November. Rhinoviruses, the classic common-cold viruses, dominated in the samples tested. Influenza and coronavirus activity is still low, the RKI says, although reported COVID-19 cases rose again compared with the previous week. RSV was not detected in the samples.
What does it mean? Most infections at the moment are viral colds – and antibiotics do not help against them. Our Myth check: Do antibiotics help against a cold? explains why.
3. FDA: Accelerated approval for head and neck cancer
What happened? On 5 November the FDA granted accelerated approval to the antibody amivantamab given as an injection under the skin (together with the enzyme hyaluronidase). It is intended for adults with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck whose disease has progressed after platinum chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In the underlying study of 102 patients, the tumour responded in 42 percent. The most common side effect was rash.
What does it mean? A group of patients with few options now has a new treatment in the US; whether it prolongs life still has to be shown in an ongoing phase 3 trial. In the EU the medicine is not yet approved for this use.
4. HIV prevention: First generic lenacapavir
What happened? The FDA has granted an Indian manufacturer tentative approval for the first generic version of the lenacapavir injection for HIV prevention, Unitaid announced on 2 November. The injection is given only twice a year. The generic is expected to cost about 40 US dollars per person per year in 120 low- and middle-income countries, with first supplies expected by the end of 2026.
What does it mean? A low price is the precondition for long-acting prevention to reach the places where most new infections occur.
5. Measles: More than 57,000 cases in the Americas
What happened? The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reports 57,666 confirmed measles cases in 17 countries and territories of the Americas in 2026 up to the end of October – 4.7 times as many as in the same period last year. 81 people died. Guatemala, Mexico and the United States are the most affected. In the two most recent reporting weeks, however, new cases fell by 38 percent.
What does it mean? Measles spreads wherever there are gaps in vaccination. How the disease progresses and how vaccination protects is explained in our encyclopedia entry Measles.
Our term of the week: Measles
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that does not only affect children and can cause serious complications such as pneumonia or inflammation of the brain. Everything important about symptoms, transmission and vaccination: Measles in the Medical Encyclopedia.
Quiz question of the week
How is measles mainly transmitted? A) through mosquito bites, B) through the air, via droplets when coughing, sneezing and talking, C) through contaminated food.
Answer: B is correct. The virus is so contagious that even a short stay in the same room can be enough. More practice questions are waiting in the Medical Quiz.
Note: This weekly review is general information and does not replace medical advice. Figures reflect the cited sources from 2 to 6 November 2026 and may change.
Sources
- WHO: Disease Outbreak News – Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, DRC, Kenya and Nigeria (6 November 2026)
- WHO: Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing (4 November 2026)
- ECDC: Ebola disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus (update November 2026)
- Robert Koch Institute: ARE weekly report, week 44/2026 (5 November 2026, in German)
- FDA: FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to a New Treatment for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (5 November 2026)
- OncLive: FDA Approves Amivantamab and Hyaluronidase for Metastatic HNSCC (5 November 2026)
- Unitaid: U.S. FDA approves first generic injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention (2 November 2026)
- PAHO/WHO: Situation Report #15 – Measles in the Americas Region (6 November 2026)
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