Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Confirmed with 65 Deaths

A deadly Ebola virus outbreak has been officially confirmed in the Ituri Province of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a statement released by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Health authorities reported 246 suspected cases, resulting in 65 deaths. Among these fatalities, four were from laboratory-confirmed cases. In response to the escalating crisis, Africa CDC announced it is closely monitoring the situation and convening an urgent high-level coordination meeting. This meeting involves officials from the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, and global partners to reinforce cross-border surveillance, preparedness, and outbreak response efforts. Ebola, a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever first identified in 1976, spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids and causes severe bleeding and organ failure. The disease has claimed approximately 15,000 lives in Africa over the past five decades. The current incident recalls the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the DRC between 2018 and 2020, which killed nearly 2,300 people. Regional health agencies are prioritizing containment strategies to prevent further spread across borders.