A fresh outbreak of the Ebola virus has been confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with African health authorities reporting dozens of deaths and hundreds of suspected infections.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said that 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths had been recorded in Ituri Province, an area that has previously experienced Ebola outbreaks.
In a statement posted on social media, the continental health agency confirmed that “four deaths have been reported among laboratory-confirmed cases” of the virus.
“Ebola Virus Disease outbreak confirmed in Ituri Province,” Africa CDC said, adding that it was “closely monitoring the situation”.
The agency also announced plans for an urgent high-level coordination meeting involving authorities from the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and international partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance and emergency response efforts.
“Africa CDC is closely monitoring the situation and convening an urgent high-level coordination meeting today with the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and global partners to reinforce cross-border surveillance, preparedness and outbreak response efforts,” the statement added.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral disease first identified in 1976. Scientists believe the virus initially crossed into humans from bats before spreading through direct contact with infected bodily fluids.
The disease causes severe fever, bleeding and organ failure, and has killed around 15,000 people across Africa over the past five decades.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced several Ebola outbreaks in recent years. Its deadliest outbreak, recorded between 2018 and 2020, killed nearly 2,300 people.
Health authorities fear the latest outbreak could pose a wider regional threat because of frequent cross-border movement in eastern Congo.
