New Ebola outbreak confirmed in eastern DR Congo

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed a new outbreak of Ebola in Ituri province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a statement posted by the organisation on X.

The health agency, quoted by Caliber.Az, reported 246 suspected cases of the disease, with 65 deaths recorded so far. Among those fatalities, four cases have been laboratory confirmed as Ebola.

Ebola Virus Disease outbreak confirmed in Ituri Province, DRC

Africa CDC is closely monitoring the situation and convening an urgent high-level coordination meeting today with the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and global partners to reinforce cross-border surveillance, preparedness… pic.twitter.com/ox5YImyPwL

— Africa CDC (@AfricaCDC) May 15, 2026

Ebola is a severe viral illness that causes both internal and external bleeding and damages the immune system and vital organs. Without timely treatment, the disease has a mortality rate ranging from 30 to 90 per cent.

The latest outbreak follows the country’s previous, 16th Ebola outbreak, which was recorded in September last year and resulted in 15 deaths.

By Tamilla Hasanova