A fresh outbreak of the Ebola virus has been confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with at least 65 deaths recorded so far, African health authorities announced on Friday.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said 246 suspected cases have been identified in Ituri Province, eastern DRC, including four deaths among laboratory-confirmed Ebola patients.
The outbreak has sparked renewed concern across the region due to the highly contagious and deadly nature of the virus, which spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids.
In response, Africa CDC said it had convened an emergency high-level coordination meeting involving officials from the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and international health partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance, preparedness and emergency response measures.
Health authorities warned that the situation remains serious, particularly in conflict-affected areas where access to healthcare and disease monitoring is often limited.
Ebola virus disease, first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in the DRC, is a severe haemorrhagic illness that can cause internal bleeding, organ failure and death if not quickly contained.
Over the last five decades, Ebola outbreaks across Africa have reportedly killed about 15,000 people, making it one of the continent’s deadliest recurring public health threats.
The DRC has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks in recent years. The country’s deadliest epidemic occurred between 2018 and 2020, when nearly 2,300 people died despite massive international intervention efforts.
Public health experts say rapid detection, isolation of infected persons, contact tracing and public awareness are critical to stopping the spread of the disease.
Africa CDC urged residents in affected communities and neighbouring countries to remain vigilant and immediately report symptoms such as fever, vomiting, weakness and unexplained bleeding.
The latest outbreak comes as several African countries continue to battle other health emergencies, including cholera and mpox outbreaks, amid fragile healthcare systems and ongoing insecurity in some regions.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to prevent the virus from spreading beyond the affected areas and escalating into a wider regional health crisis.
