1. Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak passes 9,300 confirmed cases, now the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record
An Ebola species with no approved vaccine or treatment has now caused more than 4,400 confirmed deaths in Central Africa.
As of October 14, CDC counts 9,300 confirmed cases and 4,481 confirmed deaths, nearly all in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with small numbers in Uganda, Kenya and France [1]. CDC calls it the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record and says it is spreading substantially faster than earlier ones [1]. WHO notes that no approved vaccines or specific treatments exist for Bundibugyo virus disease, and that Kenya reported its first imported case, who died on October 5 [2]. CDC says no U.S. cases have been reported and rates the risk to Americans as low [1].
2. U.S. measles cases reach 4,410 in 2026, nearly double last year's total
CDC's latest count shows measles outbreaks still growing, with Pennsylvania the hardest-hit state.
CDC reported 4,410 confirmed cases as of October 15, with 42 new outbreaks this year and 96% of cases linked to outbreaks; 2025 ended with 2,289 cases [3]. Al Jazeera reported an increase of 330 cases in one week, and cited Pennsylvania health officials reporting 1,222 cases and five confirmed measles-associated deaths in that state [4]. CDC's national table lists 2 deaths for 2026 and notes the figure is subject to change [3].
3. Software CEO sentenced to 19 years in $1 billion Medicare telemedicine fraud (See lead article.)
A Kansas executive whose platform generated doctors' orders for unneeded braces will serve 19 years in federal prison.
Brett Blackman, owner of the company behind the DMERx platform, was sentenced after a jury convicted him of health care fraud, kickback and false-statement conspiracies [5]. The Justice Department says the scheme billed more than $1 billion and collected more than $450 million [5].
4. FDA approves first treatment specifically for BCG-unresponsive, high-grade papillary-only bladder cancer
The FDA extended Anktiva to a new group of bladder cancer patients without a new trial, relying on evidence from a related disease.
On October 14, the FDA expanded Anktiva (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmln), given with BCG, to adults with BCG-unresponsive high-grade papillary-only non-muscle invasive bladder cancer [6]. The agency applied evidence from a 77-patient single-arm trial in carcinoma in situ, where 62% had a complete response, citing scientific similarities between the two forms of disease [6][7]. The approach matters beyond this drug: the FDA's oncology chief said it may guide development of future treatments [6].
Digest references
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation." CDC, updated October 13, 2026 (case data as of October 14, 2026). Link
World Health Organization. "Disease Outbreak News: Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus – Democratic Republic of the Congo (DON619)." WHO, October 8, 2026. Link
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Measles Cases and Outbreaks." CDC, updated October 16, 2026 (data as of October 15, 2026). Link
Al Jazeera Staff. "US records 4,410 measles cases as outbreak grows." Al Jazeera, October 16, 2026. Link
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. "Owner of Health Care Software Company Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison for $1B Medicare Fraud." Press release, October 15, 2026. Link
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "FDA Approves First Treatment for Certain People With BCG-Unresponsive Bladder Cancer." FDA, October 14, 2026. Link
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "FDA approves an expanded indication for nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmln for BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer." FDA, October 14, 2026. Link
