65 dead as Africa CDC confirms fresh Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention(Africa CDC) has confirmed a new Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Ituri province, Democratic Rep ublic of Congo, with about 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths reported as of May 15, 2026.
The outbreak is concentrated in the Mongwali and Rwampara health zones, with additional suspected cases in Bunia. Laboratory testing by the Institut de Recherche Biomedicale (INRB) detected Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples tested. Sequencing is ongoing to identify the exact strain, but preliminary results suggest it's a non-Zaire ebola virus. Four deaths have been confirmed among the laboratory-confirmed cases.
Africa CDC convened an urgent high-level coordination meeting on May 15, 2026, with health authorities from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. The meeting included WHO, UNICEF, US CDC, European CDC, CEPI, Gavi, MSF, the World bank, African development bank and other partners.
This outbreak follows the previous outbreak that was declared in December 2025as it has been confirmed as the most virulent strain in DRC.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in partnership with the ministry of health of The Democratic Republic Of Congo has intensified response measures to contain the spread.
Effort are focused on strengthening survailance, laboratory testing as well as public awareness campaigns . The authority has also emphasized on early detection and safe burial practices to reduce the spread of the virus.
For now, the risk of regional spread is considered high due to the outbreak's location near international borders and active trade routes.
CDC agency urges vigilance and early reporting of symptoms, which include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and bleeding.
