BUNIA, DR Congo — The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has confirmed an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province, triggering urgent regional coordination efforts to contain potential cross-border spread.
In a statement released on Friday, Africa CDC said it was convening an emergency meeting with authorities from DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, and international health partners to strengthen surveillance, preparedness, and response measures across affected and neighbouring regions.
The agency reported approximately 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, with infections concentrated in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones.
It further confirmed that four deaths had been recorded among laboratory-confirmed cases, underscoring the severity of the outbreak.
Preliminary findings suggest the presence of a non-Zaire strain of the Ebola virus, with ongoing genomic sequencing expected to further characterise the variant and guide response strategies.
Africa CDC raised concern over the risk of wider transmission, citing the urban nature of Bunia and surrounding areas, high population mobility, and mining-related movement in Mongwalu as key drivers that could accelerate spread if containment measures fail.
The agency warned that such conditions create heightened vulnerability for rapid transmission, particularly in densely populated and highly mobile communities where early detection and isolation can be challenging.
Ebola virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness that spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated materials, or contact with the bodies of deceased victims.
Health authorities emphasize that timely isolation, contact tracing, and community awareness remain critical in controlling outbreaks.
The latest outbreak adds pressure on regional public health systems already managing multiple infectious disease risks across Central and East Africa.
Cross-border coordination is expected to be central to containment efforts, particularly given population movement between DR Congo and neighbouring countries.
Africa CDC has urged heightened vigilance and strengthened surveillance systems, warning that a delayed response could increase the likelihood of regional spread.
As investigations continue, health authorities are focusing on rapid containment in affected zones while scaling up preparedness measures in neighbouring countries to prevent further transmission.
