Africa’s top public health agency has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where at least 65 people have died and hundreds of suspected infections are now under investigation.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said about 246 suspected cases have been recorded so far in Ituri province, particularly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Several suspected cases have also emerged in Bunia, the provincial capital.
Health officials say the outbreak is especially concerning because the affected region borders Uganda and South Sudan, increasing fears of cross border transmission. The area also has high population movement linked to mining activities and ongoing insecurity caused by armed groups.
Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya said emergency coordination efforts are already underway involving Congo, neighboring countries, the World Health Organization and other international partners. Authorities are expanding surveillance, contact tracing and laboratory testing in an attempt to contain the outbreak before it spreads further.
Laboratory tests confirmed Ebola in 13 out of 20 samples analyzed so far. Scientists are still sequencing the virus to determine the exact strain involved. Early findings suggest it may not be the common Zaire strain, raising concerns because many existing treatments and vaccines were designed specifically for that variant.
The outbreak marks Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak since the virus was first identified in the country in 1976. The Democratic Republic of Congo remains one of the countries most frequently affected by Ebola because the virus is endemic to parts of its tropical forest regions.
Ebola is a severe viral disease that spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. Symptoms often include fever, weakness, vomiting and bleeding. Fatality rates can vary significantly depending on the strain and speed of medical response.
The latest outbreak comes only months after Congo officially declared the end of another Ebola outbreak in Kasai province in late 2025. Public health experts warn that recurring outbreaks are becoming more difficult to contain due to insecurity, displacement, weak healthcare infrastructure and poor transportation networks in affected regions.
Health authorities are now racing to strengthen border screening, deploy medical teams and mobilize vaccines and treatment supplies as fears grow that the outbreak could spread beyond eastern Congo if containment efforts fail.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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