The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Ituri Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting urgent regional coordination efforts involving Uganda, South Sudan and international health partners.
In a statement issued Friday from Addis Ababa and Kinshasa, Africa CDC said preliminary laboratory tests conducted by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale detected the Ebola virus in 13 out of 20 samples tested.
The results, according to health authorities, suggest a non-Zaire strain of the virus, with sequencing still ongoing to determine the exact species. Final sequencing results are expected within the next 24 hours with support from the Africa CDC.
As of the latest update, approximately 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths had been reported, mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Four deaths have already been confirmed among laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases.
Health officials also revealed that suspected cases have been reported in Bunia, although confirmation tests are still pending.
Africa CDC warned that the outbreak poses a significant regional threat due to high population mobility, insecurity in affected areas and the proximity of Ituri Province to Uganda and South Sudan.
The agency expressed particular concern about mining-related movement in Mongwalu, urban transmission risks in Bunia and Rwampara, gaps in contact tracing and infection prevention challenges.
In response, Africa CDC convened an urgent high-level coordination meeting involving health authorities from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, alongside global partners including the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the United States CDC, the European CDC, Médecins Sans Frontières and several pharmaceutical and humanitarian organisations.
The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening cross-border surveillance, laboratory support, infection prevention and control, risk communication, safe burials and emergency resource mobilisation.
“Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they respond to this outbreak,” said Dr Jean Kaseya.
“Given the high population movement between affected areas and neighbouring countries, rapid regional coordination is essential. We are working with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and partners to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response, and to help contain the outbreak as quickly as possible,” he added.
Africa CDC said it is preparing additional support across several response pillars, including emergency operations coordination, digital surveillance, laboratory management, community engagement and cross-border preparedness.
The agency also noted that it will work with partners to assess the availability and suitability of vaccines and other medical countermeasures once the exact Ebola strain is identified through sequencing.
Communities in affected and neighbouring areas have been urged to remain vigilant, report symptoms early, avoid direct contact with suspected cases and cooperate with health response teams.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal illness spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected persons, contaminated materials or infected deceased individuals. Health experts say early detection, isolation of patients, contact tracing, infection prevention and safe burials remain critical in controlling transmission.