Suspected Ebola Outbreak Raises Alarm as 65 Dies in  DR Congo

Health authorities are monitoring a possible new Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo after officials reported hundreds of suspected infections and dozens of deaths.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said health workers recorded 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones in Ituri province. Officials also reported suspected cases in Bunia.

Preliminary laboratory tests by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale detected Ebola in 13 out of 20 samples tested, including samples linked to four deaths.

Authorities said the outbreak may involve a non-Zaire strain of the virus. According to Reuters, officials suspect the Bundibugyo strain.

The outbreak has raised concerns because Ituri province borders Uganda and South Sudan. The area also experiences heavy movement from mining activities and conflict-driven displacement.

“Given the high population movement between affected areas and neighbouring countries, rapid regional coordination is essential,” Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said.

“We are working with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, and partners to strengthen surveillance, preparedness, and response, and to help contain the outbreak as quickly as possible,” he added.

Africa CDC scheduled an emergency coordination meeting with health officials from the three countries. Experts from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the United States, Europe, Canada, China, and pharmaceutical companies are also expected to attend.

Officials said the meeting will focus on “immediate response priorities, cross-border coordination, surveillance, laboratory support, infection prevention and control, risk communication, safe and dignified burials, and resource mobilization.”

This marks DR Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak since scientists first identified the virus in 1976. The country’s last outbreak ended in December 2025 after infecting 64 people and killing 45.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the country has a “strong track record” in responding to Ebola outbreaks.

He said WHO teams arrived in Ituri after the agency received reports of suspected cases on May 5.

“WHO will continue working to support the Democratic Republic of Congo to bring the Ebola outbreak under control,” Tedros said.

WHO officials said existing Ebola vaccines mainly target the Zaire strain. There are currently no licensed vaccines or treatments for Bundibugyo or Sudan ebolavirus strains.

“As this outbreak unfolds, as more information becomes available, we are ready to provide those through mechanisms that already exist, should it turn out to be a strain where a vaccine can be used,” said Maria van Kerkhove.

Acting US CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya said American health officials are closely monitoring the situation.

He also confirmed that authorities had identified a case in Uganda.