New outbreak of Ebola kills 65 in eastern DR Congo

Africa's top health agency has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern Ituri province.

Around 246 cases and 65 deaths have been reported, mainly in the areas of Mongwalu and Rwampara, said the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Africa). Four of the deaths were reported among lab-confirmed cases, it added.

Its statement on Friday also said it was convening a meeting with DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and other international partners to discuss response efforts and cross-border surveillance.

Ebola is a deadly viral disease spread through direct contact with bodily fluids, causing severe bleeding and organ failure.

Preliminary tests conducted at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in the capital, Kinshasa, have detected the virus in 13 of 20 samples analysed, following consultations with DR Congo's Ministry of Health and National Public Institute.

Additional suspected cases have also been reported in Ituri's provincial capital, Bunia, with laboratory confirmation pending.

First identified in 1976 in what is now DR Congo, Ebola is thought to have passed to humans from bats.

Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache and sore throat. There is no cure for Ebola.

Around 50,000 people have died from the virus in different African countries over the past 50 years.

DR Congo's deadliest outbreak was between 2018 and 2020, during which nearly 2,300 people died.