New Ebola Outbreak Leaves 65 Dead As 246 Cases Emerge

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed a fresh outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, raising fears of possible cross-border transmission within the region.

In a statement issued on Friday, the continental health body said preliminary investigations conducted in coordination with the DRC Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Public Health had identified Ebola infections in several tested samples from Ituri Province.

Health officials quarantined the Yingfeng 2 after intercepting the passenger vessel on the Congo River before it reached Kinshasa, as authorities screened all 255 passengers for Ebola and cholera following five reported deaths.

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Sylvester Muigai Ndung'u's mother said the 17-year-old left home on Tuesday to collect his school uniform from his aunt before he became caught up in the protests.

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Laboratory analysis carried out by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) reportedly found the virus in 13 out of 20 samples examined.

Health experts indicated that the detected strain may belong to a non-Zaire Ebola variant, although further genetic sequencing is still underway to establish the exact type. Final results are expected within the next 24 hours with technical support from Africa CDC.

Authorities say at least 246 suspected infections and 65 deaths have so far been registered, with the majority of cases linked to the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones.

Four fatalities have already been confirmed among patients who tested positive for the virus. Additional suspected cases are also being investigated in Bunia city.

Public health officials warned that the outbreak could spread rapidly because of heavy movement of people between mining communities, urban centres, and neighbouring countries.

Concerns have also been raised over insecurity in affected areas, weak contact tracing systems, and challenges in infection prevention and control. The proximity of the outbreak to Uganda and South Sudan has further heightened regional alertness.

Director General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, said the agency was working closely with authorities in the DRC and neighbouring states to strengthen surveillance and emergency response mechanisms aimed at containing the disease before it escalates further.

The latest outbreak marks the 17th time Ebola has resurfaced in the DRC, a country that has experienced repeated epidemics over the past years. The previous outbreak was officially declared over in December 2025 after recording 64 cases and 45 deaths.