Ebola Outbreak in Eastern DR Congo Claims 80 Lives

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

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

Ugandan officials confirmed one case of imported Ebola from DR Congo. A 59-year-old male, previously infected, died on Thursday.

Ebola, first discovered in 1976 in what is now DR Congo, is believed to have originated in bats. This latest outbreak is the 17th in the country.

The virus is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and broken skin, leading to severe symptoms including bleeding and organ failure. Early indications consist of flu-like symptoms, which escalate to vomiting and diarrhea.

There is no known cure for Ebola, and the World Health Organization estimates a fatality rate of about 50%.

Recent tests in Kinshasa have confirmed the presence of the virus in 13 out of 20 samples. Efforts to track the virus strain are underway, and there are rising concerns regarding the risk of further transmission due to the densely populated nature of Rwampara and Bunia, alongside active mining operations in Mongwalu.

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

Currently, the Congolese government has not officially proclaimed an outbreak, although an announcement is expected soon. They are coordinating with Uganda, South Sudan, and other international partners to plan a response strategy.

The Ituri province has been under military governance since 2021 to combat armed groups in the area, including the Allied Democratic Forces.

As of now, an estimated 15,000 people have succumbed to Ebola across various African nations in the last 50 years. The deadliest outbreak in DR Congo, occurring from 2018 to 2020, resulted in nearly 2,300 deaths.