RismadarVoice Reporters, May 16, 2026
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have raised fresh concerns over the country’s latest Ebola outbreak after the death toll rose to 80, with officials warning about the virus’s high fatality rate.
The country’s Health Minister, Samuel-Roger Kamba, said the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
According to health officials, nearly 250 suspected cases have been recorded in the northeastern Ituri province, while neighbouring Uganda has also reported an Ebola-related death, heightening fears of cross-border transmission.
Authorities disclosed that the outbreak has spread across several health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongwalu, with investigations suggesting the suspected index case was a nurse who reported symptoms in late April.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warned that intense population movement, proximity to neighbouring countries, and security challenges in the region could accelerate the spread of the disease.
Medical organisations, including emergency health agencies, have intensified screening, contact tracing, and response efforts as officials seek to contain the outbreak.
Ebola is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe bleeding, organ failure, and death if not properly managed.
