Ebola outbreak in DR Congo kills 65

An Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has killed 65 people in the eastern province of Ituri, Africa CDC said on Friday, 15 May 2026.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said about 246 suspected cases had been reported, mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Preliminary tests detected Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples, while sequencing was still under way to identify the exact strain.

Africa CDC confirms Ituri Ebola outbreak

Africa CDC said the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo was confirmed after consultations with the country’s Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute. The samples were tested at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in Kinshasa.

The agency said four of the deaths were among laboratory-confirmed cases. Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia, Ituri’s provincial capital, but those cases still need laboratory confirmation.

Health officials are concerned because Bunia and Rwampara have urban populations, while Mongwalu is linked to mining activity and high population movement. Africa CDC also warned that insecurity, gaps in contact tracing, and the area’s proximity to Uganda and South Sudan could increase the risk of spread.

Regional response meeting called

Africa CDC called an urgent regional coordination meeting on Friday with DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and international partners. The meeting will focus on cross-border surveillance, laboratory support, infection control, safe burials, risk communication and 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 Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya.

He said rapid regional coordination was essential because of population movement between affected areas and neighbouring countries.

What is known about Ebola risk

Ebola virus disease spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, contaminated materials, or people who have died from the disease. Africa CDC said early detection, isolation, care, contact tracing and safe burials remain critical to stopping transmission.

The supplied BBC report notes that Ebola was first discovered in 1976 in what is now DR Congo, and that this is the country’s 17th outbreak. It also reports that DR Congo’s deadliest outbreak occurred between 2018 and 2020, when nearly 2,300 people died.

The WHO’s regional information page says Ebola is a rare but severe illness and can be fatal in humans. It spreads through close contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals or people.