DRC faces fresh Ebola outbreak in remote region
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are racing to contain a new Ebola outbreak
A new outbreak of Ebola virus has been confirmed in Ituri Province, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), triggering fears of wider regional spread. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says around 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been reported, mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara zones. Laboratory tests in Kinshasa detected Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples analysed.
Africa CDC has called an urgent coordination meeting with the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, alongside international partners, to reinforce surveillance and outbreak response measures. Suspected cases have also emerged in Bunia.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said the risk to people in the EU/EEA remains “very low” for the general population in the EU/EEA, the likelihood of infection is very low due to the limited possibility of importation and onward transmission in Europe.
The outbreak echoes the deadly 2018–2020 Ebola epidemic in eastern Congo, which caused more than 3,400 cases and led the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency. During that crisis, the European Union provided major funding to support the DRC and WHO response.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi, said authorities are moving quickly to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.
A smaller Ebola outbreak last year was quickly brought under control.
Catherine Feore