A new outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus has struck the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern Ituri province, killing at least 65 people.
Africa’s top health agency has declared the outbreak, with around 246 cases reported, mainly in the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said it was convening an emergency meeting with DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, and other international partners to discuss response efforts and cross-border surveillance.
Preliminary tests conducted at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in the capital, Kinshasa, detected the virus in 13 of 20 samples analyzed. Of the 65 deaths, four were reported among lab-confirmed cases. Additional suspected cases have also been reported in Ituri’s provincial capital, Bunia, with laboratory confirmation pending.
A Familiar but Deadly Foe
Ebola was first discovered in 1976 in what is now DR Congo and is thought to have spread from bats. This is the 17th outbreak of the deadly viral disease in the country. The virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, causing severe bleeding and organ failure. Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache, and sore throat. There is no cure for Ebola.
Around 50,000 people have died from the virus in different African countries over the past 50 years. DR Congo’s deadliest outbreak was between 2018 and 2020, during which nearly 2,300 people died. Last year, 45 people died after an outbreak in the central Kasai province.
The Congolese government has not yet officially declared an outbreak. A staffer told the BBC a press conference was expected later on Friday.
The Challenge of a Conflict Zone
Ituri province has been under military rule since 2021, with the civilian authority replaced by a military general in an attempt to neutralize dozens of armed groups that have operated in the area for many years. These include the Allied Democratic Forces, affiliated with the Islamic State group.
The presence of armed groups complicates the response. Health workers cannot move freely. Contact tracing becomes dangerous. Vaccination campaigns face security challenges. An Ebola outbreak in a conflict zone is not just a medical emergency — it is a logistical and security nightmare.
The Bottom Line
A new Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo’s Ituri province has killed 65 people, with around 246 cases reported. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the outbreak and is convening an emergency meeting with neighboring countries. The Congolese government has not yet officially declared the outbreak. Ituri has been under military rule since 2021 due to the presence of numerous armed groups, complicating response efforts.
The virus is not new to DR Congo — this is its 17th outbreak. But in a region already destabilized by conflict, containing this outbreak before it spreads further will test the capacity of both local health officials and international partners.
