The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has confirmed a fresh Ebola outbreak in Ituri province, where suspected infections have risen to 246 and the death toll reached 65.
In a statement issued on Friday, May 15, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said it was working closely with authorities in the DRC and international partners to help contain the spread of the disease.
Africa CDC noted that preliminary laboratory tests had already confirmed the presence of the Ebola virus in several samples, although further sequencing was still underway to establish the specific strain responsible for the outbreak.
DRC health officials confirm Ebola outbreak with hundreds of suspected cases. Photo: Courtesy.
According to the agency, consultations with the DRC Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute led to testing at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), where 13 out of 20 samples tested positive for the Ebola virus.
Reports moreover indicate that the outbreak has mainly affected the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, with suspected cases also reported in Bunia.
The agency said 246 suspected infections and 65 deaths had so far been recorded, including four deaths among confirmed Ebola cases.
Africa CDC further warned that high population movement, insecurity, gaps in infection control, and the proximity of the affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan could increase the risk of cross-border transmission.
In response, Africa CDC convened an urgent high-level coordination meeting on May 15, bringing together officials from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, alongside global health agencies and pharmaceutical partners, to strengthen the response to the outbreak and curb its spread.
The discussions focused on key priorities including surveillance, laboratory support, infection prevention and control, cross-border coordination, risk communication, and resource mobilisation.
The agency noted that it is also preparing to deploy additional support across response pillars such as emergency operations coordination, digital surveillance, community engagement, and data management.
It moreover highlighted that it will work with partners to assess available medical countermeasures once sequencing confirms the exact Ebola virus species involved in the outbreak.
Residents in affected and neighbouring areas were urged to cooperate with health authorities and adhere to official public health guidance to help reduce further infections.
