New Ebola Epidemic Declared in Eastern DRC, Killing Four

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared a new Ebola epidemic in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As of May 15, 2026, four deaths have been laboratory-confirmed, while authorities have recorded 246 suspected cases resulting in 65 fatalities. This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC since the virus was first identified in the region in 1976. The Africa CDC is closely monitoring the situation and has organized an urgent high-level coordination meeting with the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, and international partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance and combat the spread. Although vaccines and treatments exist, Ebola remains a highly fatal hemorrhagic fever. The current outbreak follows a previous epidemic in central DRC that was declared eradicated in December 2025 after causing at least 34 deaths. Human transmission occurs through bodily fluids, with symptoms including fever, vomiting, and bleeding appearing after an incubation period of two to twenty-one days.