A fresh Ebola outbreak has been declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern Ituri province, with health authorities reporting dozens of deaths and mounting concern over potential regional spread.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) confirmed that about 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been recorded, with the hardest-hit areas identified as the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara.
The agency says it is coordinating emergency discussions with DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and other international partners to strengthen response efforts, surveillance systems and cross-border containment measures.
Early laboratory analysis has already confirmed the presence of the virus in a significant number of samples. Tests conducted at the National Biomedical Research Institute in Kinshasa detected Ebola in 13 of 20 specimens examined, following consultations with the country’s health ministry.
While most deaths have been among suspected cases, Africa CDC confirmed that four fatalities occurred among patients with laboratory confirmation of the virus. Additional suspected infections have also been reported in Bunia, the provincial capital of Ituri, with further testing ongoing.
Health officials say the outbreak is particularly concerning due to the high population movement linked to mining activities in Mongwalu, as well as urban spread risks in densely populated areas such as Rwampara and Bunia.
Africa CDC Director Dr Jean Kaseya warned that the mobility of people between affected communities and neighbouring countries increases the likelihood of wider transmission, making regional coordination critical to controlling the situation.
The Congolese government has yet to formally announce the outbreak, although a press briefing was expected from officials on Friday as response measures intensify on the ground.
Ebola, a severe viral disease, spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces, often leading to internal bleeding and organ failure. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain and sore throat, which can rapidly progress to vomiting, diarrhoea, rash and bleeding.
There is currently no approved cure for Ebola, and the World Health Organisation estimates an average fatality rate of about 50 percent, depending on the strain and response capacity.
First identified in 1976 in what is now DR Congo, Ebola is believed to have originated from bats. This latest development marks the country’s 17th recorded outbreak.
The Ituri region has also faced prolonged insecurity, with military rule imposed since 2021 amid ongoing conflict involving multiple armed groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which is linked to the Islamic State network.
Over the past five decades, Ebola has claimed around 15,000 lives across Africa. DR Congo’s deadliest outbreak occurred between 2018 and 2020, killing nearly 2,300 people, while a separate outbreak last year in Kasai province resulted in 45 deaths.
