Ebola outbreak kills 65 in DR Congo as regional health chiefs race to respond
Ebola outbreak kills 65 in DR Congo as regional health chiefs race to respond
An Ebola outbreak in Ituri has claimed 65 lives with 246 suspected cases; Uganda reports a Kampala death linked to travel, as officials warn of regional spread and a Bundibugyo strain with no licensed vaccine.
An Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed 65 people, with 246 suspected cases reported so far in Ituri province. Health officials are racing to contain the infection amid conflict and high cross-border movement in mining towns along borders.
Uganda confirmed an outbreak as well, with a 59-year-old man dying in a Kampala hospital after travelling from the DRC. The cross-border link highlights the urgent need for regional coordination to stop the spread.
Laboratory results show the Bundibugyo strain in 13 of 20 samples tested. Unlike the Zaire strain, which has licensed vaccines, there is no licensed vaccine for Bundibugyo, complicating response efforts. There have been two previous Bundibugyo outbreaks, in 2007 and 2012.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said it was convening an urgent meeting with officials from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, as well as the World Health Organization and vaccine developers, to coordinate a regional response and accelerate contact tracing and community engagement.
With high population movement between affected areas and neighbouring countries, rapid regional coordination is essential. The question remains whether a vaccine drive can stop history from repeating itself and avert further spread.
Officials emphasize solidarity and swift action as health authorities work to protect communities and prevent a broader outbreak.
