Fresh Ebola Outbreak Hits DR Congo, Scores Dead

A fresh outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus has struck eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with scores of people already reported dead, African health authorities confirmed on Friday.

According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), about 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have so far been recorded in Ituri Province, while four laboratory-confirmed patients have also died.

In a statement posted on social media, the pan-African health agency confirmed that “Ebola Virus Disease outbreak” had been detected in the province and warned that urgent measures were being taken to contain the spread.

Africa CDC said it was closely monitoring the situation and had convened an emergency high-level coordination meeting involving the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and global health partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance, preparedness and response efforts.

Ebola, first identified in 1976, is believed to have originated from bats and spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids. The virus causes severe bleeding, organ failure and can be fatal within a short period.

Over the last five decades, Ebola outbreaks across Africa have claimed about 15,000 lives.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced several outbreaks in recent years, including the country’s deadliest epidemic between 2018 and 2020, which killed nearly 2,300 people.