New outbreak of Ebola kills 65 in eastern DR Congo

Africa's top health agency says around 246 cases have been reported. Ebola outbreak kills 65 in eastern DR Congo's Ituri province Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Nearly 2,300 people died in DR Congo's deadliest Ebola outbreak between 2018 and 2020 Colorised transmission electron micrograph of Ebola virus particles (in gold) with other cells in green New outbreak of Ebola kills 65 in eastern DR Congo Africa's top health agency has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern Ituri province. Around 246 cases and 65 deaths have been reported, mainly in the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara, said the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Africa). Around 246 cases and 65 deaths have been reported, mainly in the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara, said the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Africa). Its statement on Friday added that it was convening a meeting with DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and other international partners to discuss response efforts and cross-border surveillance. Ebola was first discovered in 1976 in what is now DR Congo, and is thought to have spread from bats. This is the 17th outbreak of the deadly viral disease in the country. It is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids, causing severe bleeding and organ failure. Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache and sore throat. There is no cure for Ebola. Preliminary tests conducted at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in the capital, Kinshasa, have detected the virus in 13 of 20 samples analysed, following consultations with DR Congo's Ministry of Health and National Public Institute. Of the 65 deaths, four were reported among lab-confirmed cases, CDC Africa said. Additional suspected cases have also been reported in Ituri's provincial capital, Bunia, with laboratory confirmation pending. The Congolese government has not yet officially declared an outbreak. A staffer told the BBC a press conference was expected later on Friday. Ituri has been under military rule since 2021, with the civilian authority replaced by a military general in an attempt to neutralise dozens of armed groups which have operated in the area for many years. These include the Allied Democratic Forced (ADF), affiliated to the Islamic State group. Around 50,000 people have died from the virus in different African countries over the past 50 years. DR Congo's deadliest outbreak was between 2018 and 2020, during which nearly 2,300 people died. Last year, 45 people died after an outbreak in the central Kasai province. A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Rebel fighters and Rwandan troops are accused of committing atrocities after capturing the DR Congo city of Uvira in December. "If the people want me to have a third term, I will accept," Tshisekedi says, with him due to step down in 2028. The former leader has not responded to US accusations that he is aiming to destabilise the government. Former Power Minister Saleh Mamman was convicted last week - but the authorities do not know his whereabouts. The actor was recognised for his contributions to entertainment as well as his humanitarian efforts. A BBC investigation exposed how scammers posted social content of dogs in distress to dupe donors into giving money. The foreign minister says the "distressed" Ghanaians registered with the embassy in Pretoria to be evacuated. Two friends pedal in memory of a brother and return to a spot visited by a grandparent in 1963.