Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have verified a fresh Ebola virus disease outbreak in the eastern region. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported hundreds of suspected cases in Ituri Province. Preliminary tests revealed the virus in 13 out of 20 samples, with about 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths recorded, particularly in Mongwalu and Rwampara.
Africa CDC has cautioned about the potential for further spread due to urban settings, population movement, mining activities, and proximity to Uganda and South Sudan. An urgent meeting is scheduled with health officials from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, along with international partners, to enhance cross-border coordination and response efforts. The Director General of Africa CDC emphasized the need for swift regional cooperation given the high mobility between affected areas and neighboring countries.
The recent outbreak follows the DRC’s 16th Ebola outbreak since 1976, with the government declaring an end to the previous outbreak that claimed 45 lives. The Health Minister officially announced the termination of the 16th Ebola outbreak in the DRC, citing the containment of the virus transmission chain. Ebola is a severe and contagious hemorrhagic fever causing symptoms like fever, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, and bleeding, as per the WHO.
