A new Ebola outbreak is confirmed in a remote Congo province, with 65 deaths recorded

Africa's top public health body has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in the remote Ituri province of Congo. The outbreak has resulted in 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, primarily in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. While four deaths are linked to laboratory-confirmed cases, further testing is underway to identify the specific strain of the virus. Preliminary results suggest it may not be the Ebola Zaire strain, which has been prevalent in past outbreaks, though sequencing is ongoing. The World Health Organization has previously noted Congo's stockpile of Ebola treatments and vaccines, though the current vaccine is effective against the Zaire strain.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a fatal Ebola outbreak in the remote Ituri province of Congo. As of Friday, May 15, 2026, there are 246 suspected cases and 65 recorded deaths, primarily in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. The highly contagious Ebola virus spreads through bodily fluids. In response to this confirmed outbreak, an urgent cross-border meeting has been called.

An Ebola outbreak in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in 65 deaths among 246 suspected cases. The affected region borders Uganda and South Sudan, raising concerns for Africa CDC about potential further spread due to high population movement in mining towns. Early testing suggests this outbreak may be a different strain of Ebola than the Zaire strain, for which vaccines are available. The DRC has experienced numerous Ebola outbreaks since 1976. Health officials are convening an urgent meeting with neighboring countries and the World Health Organization to coordinate a rapid regional response.

Africa's CDC has declared an Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's Ituri province. The outbreak has resulted in approximately 246 cases and 65 deaths, primarily in the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara. This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the country. Health officials are convening a meeting with neighboring countries and international partners to coordinate response and surveillance efforts. The virus, which spreads through bodily fluids and has no cure, causes severe bleeding and organ failure, with early symptoms including fever and fatigue. Preliminary tests have confirmed the presence of the virus in a significant portion of analyzed samples.