Kinshasa, May 17 (V7N) — A new Ebola outbreak in the Central African nation of Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed at least 80 people in Ituri province, according to health officials, with the virus also spreading across the border into Uganda.
The country’s health ministry confirmed the figures at a press briefing on Saturday (May 16), stating that the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo variant of the Ebola virus. Authorities also said around 246 people are currently suspected of being infected.
Health officials warned that the variant has a high fatality rate of up to 50 percent, and no approved vaccine is currently available for this strain.
Cases have been reported not only in Ituri but also in several border areas near Uganda, raising concerns about cross-border transmission. Ugandan health authorities have also confirmed Ebola-related cases linked to the same outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reportedly declared a global health emergency in response to the outbreak, warning that while the situation has not yet reached pandemic levels, the risk of regional spread remains high, particularly in countries sharing borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This marks the 17th recorded Ebola outbreak in the country since the virus was first identified there in 1976. WHO officials warned that the actual number of infections may be higher than reported due to rapid transmission and increasing suspected cases.
Health experts continue to monitor the situation closely as containment efforts intensify in affected regions.
END/SMA/AJ
