Image from the CDC
1. Nigeria confirms an imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola in Abuja
Nigeria has become the fifth country to detect the Bundibugyo virus in the current outbreak, WHO says.
Nigerian authorities confirmed on October 20 that a woman with recent travel history to Uganda tested positive for Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory, and 44 contacts are being monitored [1][2]. According to AP, her symptoms began October 7 and she was admitted to a private Abuja hospital on October 11 [2]. CDC's October 20 summary counts 9,582 confirmed cases and 4,605 confirmed deaths in the outbreak, nearly all in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and no US cases [3].
2. FDA grants accelerated approval to dostarlimab for dMMR/MSI-H rectal cancer (See lead article.)
An immunotherapy alone may let some patients avoid chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
On October 19, the FDA approved GSK's Jemperli for adults with stage II/III MSI-H or dMMR locally advanced rectal cancer, based mainly on the single-arm AZUR-1 trial [4][5]. The FDA said almost three-fourths of patients had not needed surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy after a median follow-up of more than two years, and it requires continued follow-up to confirm lasting benefit [5].
3. FDA approves Hibsago, the first antisense drug for chronic hepatitis B
GSK's bepirovirsen lets some patients on long-term antivirals try stopping treatment.
The FDA on October 20 approved Hibsago (bepirovirsen, GSK), calling it the first FDA-approved antisense oligonucleotide to treat chronic hepatitis B [6]. It is for adults without cirrhosis who have taken antivirals for at least six months and have HBsAg of 3,000 IU/mL or less; it is given by subcutaneous injection for up to 24 weeks [6]. In trials, 24% of patients met the criteria to stop their existing medicine versus none on placebo, and 19% still had the virus under control 24 weeks after stopping all treatment; the label carries a boxed warning for serious liver reactions and low platelet counts [6][7].
4. Jury convicts Maryland lab owner in $18.7 million Medicare testing fraud aimed at nursing homes
Prosecutors proved he billed for respiratory tests nobody ordered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A federal jury in Maryland convicted Patrick Britton-Harr, 42, owner of Provista Health, on five counts of health care fraud and one count of transactional money laundering, the Justice Department announced October 20 [8]. Evidence at trial showed his company billed Medicare $18.7 million for respiratory pathogen panel tests added to COVID-19 testing at nursing homes, and Medicare paid more than $7.2 million [8][9]. Each count carries up to 10 years in prison; sentencing has not been scheduled [8].
Digest references
WHO Regional Office for Africa. Nigeria confirms imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease. October 20, 2026. https://afro.who.int/countries/nigeria/news/nigeria-confirms-imported-case-ebola-bundibugyo-virus-disease
Adetayo O. Nigeria confirms Ebola case in Abuja as woman who arrived from Uganda tests positive. Associated Press (via ABC News). October 20, 2026. https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/nigeria-confirms-ebola-case-abuja-woman-arrived-uganda-137420211
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ebola: Current situation summary. Updated October 20, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/ebola/situation-summary/index.html
US Food and Drug Administration. FDA grants accelerated approval to dostarlimab for locally advanced rectal cancer. October 19, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-grants-accelerated-approval-dostarlimab-locally-advanced-rectal-cancer
US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Approves Immunotherapy That May Allow Certain Patients with Rectal Cancer to Avoid Chemotherapy, Radiation and Surgery. October 19, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-immunotherapy-may-allow-certain-patients-rectal-cancer-avoid-chemotherapy-radiation-and
US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves first-of-its-kind chronic hepatitis B treatment. October 20, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-its-kind-chronic-hepatitis-b-treatment
GSK. Hibsago (bepirovirsen) approved in the US for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. October 20, 2026. https://us.gsk.com/en-us/media/press-releases/hibsago-bepirovirsen-approved-in-the-us-for-the-treatment-of-chronic-hepatitis-b-chb/
US Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. Maryland man convicted in $18.7M Medicare fraud respiratory testing scheme targeting nursing homes. October 20, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/maryland-man-convicted-187m-medicare-fraud-respiratory-testing-scheme-targeting-nursing
Ward H. Maryland Jury Convicts Lab Owner in $18.7 Million Medicare Fraud Case. EconoTimes. October 21, 2026. https://econotimes.com/Maryland-Jury-Convicts-Lab-Owner-in-18-7-Million-Medicare-Fraud-Case-1758581