A deadly Ebola outbreak in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed at least 65 people and infected hundreds more, raising fears that the virus could spread into neighboring countries.
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, about 246 people are suspected of having Ebola. Regional health officials held an emergency meeting on Friday to coordinate a response to the growing health crisis.
Preliminary laboratory testing found the Ebola virus in 13 out of 20 samples collected from suspected patients. Further genetic sequencing is now underway to identify the exact strain responsible for the outbreak.
Health officials confirmed four deaths linked to laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases in Ituri province. Suspected infections have also been reported in Bunia, one of the region’s largest cities.
Authorities warned that several factors could worsen the outbreak. Population movement linked to mining activities, ongoing insecurity in affected communities, and gaps in contact tracing are increasing the risk of transmission. The proximity of the outbreak zone to Uganda and South Sudan has also heightened fears of cross-border spread.
The Africa CDC said it is working closely with health officials from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. The World Health Organization and major pharmaceutical companies, including Merck & Co., Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna Inc., are also participating in response efforts.
Health experts say rapid testing, vaccination campaigns, and stronger surveillance systems will be critical in preventing the outbreak from spreading further across the region.
