Manny Ita –
At least 80 people have died in a new Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province, according to health authorities, as officials race to contain the spread and intensify contact tracing and screening efforts.
The outbreak was first confirmed on Friday, initially reporting 65 deaths and over 200 suspected cases, but the number has since risen as surveillance continues. Health officials say only a small number of laboratory tests have confirmed Ebola so far, but available results indicate the presence of the Bundibugyo strain, a less common variant of the virus in the country.
The suspected first case is believed to have been a nurse who died in a hospital in Bunia after showing symptoms consistent with Ebola. Authorities say the infection likely began weeks earlier in late April before being formally detected.
The disease has already crossed borders, with Uganda confirming an Ebola case linked to the Congo outbreak. The patient died in Kampala on May 14, raising regional concern about possible further spread. Health officials in neighbouring countries, including Kenya, have stepped up surveillance at entry points while assessing the risk as moderate but manageable.
In affected areas of Ituri, including Bunia, Mongwalu, and Rwampara, health teams are carrying out screenings and trying to trace contacts. However, limited testing capacity and logistical challenges in the remote and conflict-affected region have slowed response efforts.
Congo, which has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks since 1976, is once again facing difficulties containing the virus due to distance between provinces, insecurity, and strained healthcare infrastructure. Despite this, local communities report that daily life in some areas is continuing, even as fear of the disease grows.
Health officials continue to urge stronger monitoring, rapid response measures, and public awareness campaigns to prevent further spread of the outbreak within Congo and across nearby countries.
