Health authorities have confirmed a new outbreak of Ebola in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, triggering renewed concern across the continent.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday, May 15, that 246 suspected infections have been identified, with 65 deaths recorded so far.
The agency noted that a portion of the fatalities has been verified through laboratory testing.
“four deaths have been reported among laboratory-confirmed cases,” the Africa CDC said in a statement shared on social media.
According to the continental health body, the outbreak has been traced to Ituri Province, an area that has experienced previous Ebola incidents.
“Ebola Virus Disease outbreak confirmed in Ituri Province,” it stated.
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In response, the Africa CDC said it is intensifying efforts to contain the spread, particularly across borders, by engaging regional governments and international partners.
“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,” it said.
Ebola is a highly infectious disease believed to have originated from bats and was first identified in 1976.
It spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals and can lead to severe complications, including internal bleeding and organ failure.
Over the years, the virus has claimed approximately 15,000 lives across Africa.
The Democratic Republic of Congo remains one of the most affected countries, with its worst outbreak between 2018 and 2020 resulting in nearly 2,300 deaths.