Africa’s top health agency has declared a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern Ituri province, with 246 reported cases and at least 65 deaths so far.The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) made the announcement on Friday, saying the outbreak is mainly concentrated in the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara, with additional suspected cases in the provincial capital, Bunia.
Preliminary laboratory tests at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in Kinshasa have confirmed Ebola in 13 of 20 samples. Further testing is underway to identify the specific strain.
Africa CDC said it is particularly concerned about the high risk of spread due to:
Background on Ebola in DR Congo
This is the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the virus was first identified there in 1976. The country previously experienced its deadliest outbreak between 2018 and 2020, which killed nearly 2,300 people. Last year, an outbreak in the central Kasai province claimed 45 lives.
Ebola is a severe viral disease spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people or animals. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, which can progress to vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and internal bleeding. The average fatality rate is around 50%, according to the World Health Organization.
There is no proven cure, but supportive care, approved vaccines, and early treatment can significantly improve survival rates. The Congolese government has not yet made an official declaration of the outbreak, but a press conference is expected later on Friday. This is a developing story. Health authorities are urging residents to follow official guidelines, avoid contact with sick individuals, and report any suspected cases immediately.
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