New Ebola Outbreak Confirmed in Eastern Congo as Death Toll Reaches 80

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Kinshasa: A new Ebola outbreak has been confirmed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where health authorities say at least 80 people have died and 246 suspected cases have been recorded in Ituri province.

The outbreak has been detected in Ituri province mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Suspected infections have also been reported in Bunia, the provincial capital.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said preliminary findings suggest the outbreak may involve a non-Zaire strain of the Ebola virus, with further genetic sequencing underway. The development has raised concerns because most existing Ebola vaccines and treatments were designed primarily for the more common Zaire strain.

Authorities in Congo, alongside neighbouring Uganda and South Sudan, are now coordinating emergency surveillance and response measures to prevent the disease from spreading across borders. Uganda has already reported a fatal imported case linked to the outbreak.

The World Health Organization has released emergency funding to support response efforts, while rapid response teams have been deployed to affected areas. Health experts warn that the outbreak may be harder to contain because of armed conflict, population displacement and intense movement linked to mining activity in eastern Congo.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral disease spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people or contaminated materials. Congo has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified in the country in 1976.

Pic Credit: AFP