World

New Ebola outbreak confirmed in remote Congo province

By AAP Newswire

May 15, 2026

Health workers in an isolation tent in Democratic Republic of Congo — African authorities are scrambling to contain an ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo. -AP

A new Ebola outbreak has been confirmed in Democratic Republic of Congo's ‌remote Ituri province.

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The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said it was convening an urgent meeting with Congo, Uganda, South Sudan ‌and global partners ‌to ⁠reinforce cross-border surveillance, preparedness and response efforts.

It said about 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths had been reported, mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, while four deaths had been reported among ⁠laboratory-confirmed cases.

The agency said ‌initial findings suggested the presence of a non-Zaire strain of the virus, ‌with sequencing ongoing to further characterise it.

"Africa CDC is concerned about the risk of further spread due to the urban context of Bunia and Rwampara, intense population movement, mining-related mobility in Mongwalu," it added.

Ebola ‌virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness.

It spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, contaminated materials or people who have died from the disease.