Africa CDC Confirms Ebola Outbreak in Eastern DRC

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Friday confirmed an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

In a statement, the continental health body said that following consultations with the DRC Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute, preliminary laboratory results from the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) detected the Ebola virus in 13 of the 20 samples tested.

According to the Africa CDC, the results point to a non-Zaire strain of the Ebola virus, although sequencing is still ongoing to fully characterise the variant. Final results are expected within the next 24 hours with support from the Africa CDC.

“As of the latest update, about 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been reported, mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones,” the statement noted.

Four deaths have so far been recorded among laboratory-confirmed cases, while additional suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia, pending confirmation.

Health experts have raised concerns over the potential for further spread because of the urban setting of Bunia and Rwampara, intense population movement, mining-related mobility in Mongwalu, insecurity in affected areas, gaps in contact tracing, and challenges in infection prevention and control. The proximity of the affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan has also heightened regional concern.

“Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they respond to this outbreak,” said Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC.

“Given the high population movement between affected areas and neighbouring countries, rapid regional coordination is essential. 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.

Ebola Virus Disease outbreak confirmed in Ituri Province, DRC

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… pic.twitter.com/ox5YImyPwL

— Africa CDC (@AfricaCDC) May 15, 2026

The latest outbreak marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC, a country that has battled repeated epidemics over the years. The previous outbreak ended on December 1, 2025, after recording 64 cases and 45 deaths.

SOURCE: URN

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