Ebola Resurgence Claims 80 Lives in Eastern DR Congo

Mon Jun 01 2026 09:59:39 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

An outbreak of Ebola in the eastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in 80 deaths, as health officials scramble to contain the spread.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a significant health crisis as a new outbreak of Ebola has been reported in the eastern Ituri province, resulting in 80 fatalities and nearly 250 confirmed cases. The situation has raised concerns about further spread, especially with recent cases confirmed in neighboring Uganda. Local health authorities and the Africa CDC are taking measures to manage the outbreak, including laboratory testing and community awareness campaigns.

Africa's top health agency has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern Ituri province.

As of now, around 246 cases and 80 deaths have been reported, primarily in the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

In a concerning development, Ugandan health officials confirmed one imported case of Ebola from DR Congo on Friday. A 59-year-old male who succumbed to the illness tested positive posthumously.

Ebola, first discovered in 1976 in what is now DR Congo, is thought to spread from bats and is characterized by severe symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and bleeding. This outbreak marks the 17th occurrence of the deadly viral disease in the country.

Despite being highly contagious, the virus has no proven cure, and the World Health Organization (WHO) cites an average fatality rate of around 50%.

Laboratory tests conducted at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) found the virus in 13 of 20 analyzed samples and are ongoing to identify the specific strain involved.

Of the 80 deaths, four were noted among lab-confirmed cases. Additional suspected cases have been reported in Ituri's provincial capital, Bunia, with laboratory confirmations pending. Notably, there is a high risk of further transmission due to the urbanized settings of Rwampara and Bunia and mining activities in Mongwalu.

The health agency's executive director, Dr. Jean Kaseya, emphasized the need for regional cooperation, highlighting significant population movements between the affected areas and neighboring countries.

While the Congolese government has not yet officially declared the outbreak, a press conference is anticipated soon. Measures include convening meetings with DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, and international partners to strategize response efforts and cross-border surveillance.

Ituri has been under military rule since 2021, aimed at neutralizing numerous armed groups in the area, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

As authorities continue to manage this outbreak, they advise all affected communities and at-risk areas to strictly follow national health guidelines.