Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo: 65 Deaths, 246 Suspected Cases

A new Ebola outbreak has been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 65 deaths recorded so far, according to Africa's top public health body. The outbreak has been identified in the remote Ituri province, where officials have recorded 246 suspected cases, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Most of the cases and deaths have been reported in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, the agency said on Friday. Four deaths have so far been confirmed among laboratory-tested Ebola cases, while suspected infections have also been reported in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province near the border with Uganda. Preliminary laboratory testing detected the Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples analysed. The Ebola virus spreads through bodily fluids, including blood, vomit and semen, and can cause severe and often fatal illness. Africa CDC has also raised concerns over the proximity of the outbreak to neighbouring Uganda and South Sudan. An emergency meeting involving health officials from Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, alongside UN agencies and other international partners, was due to take place on Friday to coordinate the response. Congo has experienced 17 Ebola outbreaks since the disease was first identified in the country in 1976. One of the deadliest outbreaks, between 2018 and 2020 in eastern Congo, killed more than 2,000 people. The country's eastern regions are also facing ongoing violence involving armed groups, including the M23 rebel movement and the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Force, complicating efforts to contain the disease. Dr Gabriel Nsakala, a public health professor involved in previous Ebola responses in Congo, said the country had extensive experience dealing with outbreaks but warned rapid action would be essential. "In terms of training, people already know what they can do," he said. "Now, the expertise and equipment need to be delivered quickly."