Congo has reported a new Ebola outbreak in Ituri province, with 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths.

The African Union for the Control and Prevention of Diseases confirmed on Friday a new Ebola outbreak in Ituri province in Congo, with 246 suspected cases and 65 recorded deaths, particularly in the health areas of Mongwalu and Rwampara. The Ebola virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through bodily fluids. Four deaths have been reported among the laboratory-confirmed cases, and preliminary results suggest a non-Zaire strain of the virus. Congo has a stock of treatments and approximately 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, effective against the Ebola Zaire strain.

The outbreak comes five months after the last outbreak was declared over, and Ituri is an isolated area with poor infrastructure. The agency has expressed concerns about the risk of spread due to population mobility and instability in the region. An emergency coordination meeting will take place with authorities from Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan to address response priorities. This is the 17th Ebola outbreak in Congo since 1976, and the country faces logistical challenges in managing disease outbreaks, considering the violence in the eastern part of the country. Dr. Gabriel Nsakala emphasized that medical staff have experience from previous outbreaks, but rapid delivery of equipment and expertise is necessary.