Africa CDC convenes urgent Ebola response meeting after DR Congo, Uganda cases

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Friday confirmed an Ebola virus disease outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's Ituri province and convened an urgent regional meeting with health authorities from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan.

In a statement issued on May 15, Africa CDC said preliminary laboratory tests conducted by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in Kinshasa detected Ebola virus in 13 out of 20 samples collected in Ituri Province. Initial findings suggest the outbreak may involve a non-Zaire strain of the virus, with genetic sequencing ongoing to determine the exact species.

As of the latest update, Africa CDC reported approximately 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Four deaths have been confirmed among laboratory-positive cases. Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia, pending confirmation.

DR Congo's health ministry on Friday evening put the death toll at 80, citing suspected community deaths, but the official outbreak toll remains under validation. The country's health authorities have activated public health emergency operations and deployed response teams.

Uganda's Ministry of Health has confirmed an imported Ebola case involving a 59-year-old Congolese man who was admitted to Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Kampala on May 11 and died on May 14, according to an Africa CDC update on May 16. Laboratory tests confirmed the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. Ugandan authorities said no local transmission has been confirmed and that the case is considered imported from DRC. Screening and surveillance have been intensified along the western border.

Africa CDC warned that the outbreak poses increased regional risks due to population movement, mining-related mobility, insecurity in affected areas, and the proximity of outbreak zones to Uganda and South Sudan.

"The situation requires speed, scientific rigour and regional solidarity," said Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. "We are working with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and partners to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response, and to help contain transmission as quickly as possible."

The agency said discussions at the emergency meeting focused on surveillance, laboratory support, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, safe burials, logistics and public awareness campaigns. Uganda has already activated emergency response measures, including intensified screening and surveillance at official and informal border crossings along its western frontier with the DR Congo.

This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in DRC since the virus was first identified near the Ebola River in 1976. The previous outbreak ended in December 2025 after recording 64 cases and 45 deaths.