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Sixty-five people have been confirmed dead and at least 246 more infected following a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
It disclosed that preliminary laboratory results from the Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale (INRB) detected Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples tested with the Bundibugyo Virus.
“As of the latest update from DRC, approximately 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been reported, mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones.
“Four deaths have been reported among laboratory-confirmed cases.
Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia and are pending confirmation,” the statement reads in part.
Africa CDC clarified that these figures remain provisional and are being validated through laboratory confirmation, line-list harmonization, contact identification and epidemiological investigation.
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Quoting Uganda’s Ministry of Health, Africa CDC also reported the death, on Thursday, of a 59-year-old Congolese man due to the Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease.
The victim had been hospitalized on May 11 and died three days later.
Ugandan authorities reported the case as imported from DRC and has indicated that no local case has yet been confirmed.
Africa CDC said it is closely outbreak in Ituri Province of DRC as well as the imported case in Uganda.
The health agency added that it is working with national authorities and partners to support a rapid, coordinated regional response aimed at interrupting transmission, protecting communities and reducing the risk of cross-border spread.
Director General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, said, “Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Governments and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as they respond to this outbreak.
“The situation requires speed, scientific rigour and regional solidarity. 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.”
