Virologist Warns of Long Incubation Period for Bundibugyo Ebola Strain

Muhammed Munir, a virologist from the University of Lancaster in the UK, has raised concerns about the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. He spoke on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on October 26, 2026, explaining that this strain has a long incubation period. This means that a person infected with the virus may not show symptoms for two weeks or even longer.

Munir emphasized that this long incubation can lead to misunderstandings. People might think they are safe if they traveled to areas like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) weeks earlier. However, they could still be carrying the virus without showing any signs of illness.

His comments come after a 42-year-old woman in Abuja, Nigeria, was confirmed to have the Bundibugyo strain. She returned from Uganda on October 3 and showed symptoms four days later. She was admitted to a private health facility on October 10, and health officials are monitoring 53 people who had contact with her.

Munir also discussed the implications of the woman’s travel history. He noted that if she did not visit the DRC and only traveled to Uganda, it raises important questions about the ongoing presence of the virus in Uganda.

He urged anyone who might be infected not to hesitate to seek medical help. Early detection is crucial for controlling the spread of the virus. Munir stated, “One should not feel shy about accepting those facts because until we really look at those cases, we are not going to have a good handle on the infection.”