Africa CDC Confirms Fatal Ebola Outbreak in Congo, Urges Cross-Border Action

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s remote Ituri province. As of May 15, 2026, authorities have recorded 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, primarily within the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Preliminary laboratory tests detected the Ebola virus in 13 out of 20 samples, with four deaths confirmed among laboratory-verified cases. Additional suspected cases are being investigated in Bunia, the provincial capital near the Ugandan border. The Africa CDC, serving as the continent’s leading public health body, has called for an urgent cross-border meeting to coordinate containment efforts and prevent regional spread. Ebola is a severe, often fatal disease transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, and semen. This outbreak emerges approximately five months after the previous epidemic in the region was declared over, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in public health infrastructure. Health workers are currently deploying protective measures in affected areas to manage the highly contagious virus and mitigate further transmission risks among local communities.