Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is a severe, often-fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees) that has appeared sporadically since its initial recognition in 1976.
The disease is caused by infection with Ebola virus, named after a river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa, where it was first recognized. The virus is one of two members of a family of RNA viruses called the Filoviridae. There are four identified subtypes of Ebola virus. Three of the four have caused disease in humans: Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, and Ebola-Ivory Coast. The fourth, Ebola-Reston, has caused disease in nonhuman primates, but not in humans.
A fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has triggered renewed panic across parts of Central Africa after health authorities confirmed that at least 65 people have died from the deadly virus. The outbreak, which has been officially confirmed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, is centered in the country’s conflict-ridden Ituri province, where hundreds of suspected infections have already been recorded.
According to health officials, about 246 suspected Ebola cases have emerged so far, with the majority reported in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Laboratory investigations have also confirmed several deaths directly linked to the virus, while additional suspected cases are currently being examined in Bunia and surrounding communities.
The outbreak has raised serious concerns among international health agencies because of the possibility of rapid transmission across borders. Authorities say the combination of urban movement, mining activities, poor healthcare infrastructure, and insecurity in eastern Congo could worsen the situation if urgent containment measures are not strengthened immediately. Africa CDC has already announced emergency coordination efforts involving neighbouring countries including Uganda and South Sudan to improve surveillance and response strategies. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Health experts revealed that preliminary investigations suggest the outbreak may involve a non-Zaire strain of the Ebola virus, although genetic sequencing is still ongoing to fully identify the variant responsible for the infections. This development has intensified fears among public health officials who are racing against time to prevent another large-scale epidemic similar to previous outbreaks that devastated parts of the region.
Ebola remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, spreading through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated materials, or infected corpses. Symptoms often include fever, weakness, vomiting, bleeding, and severe organ complications. The disease has repeatedly affected the Democratic Republic of Congo since it was first identified in 1976, with the country recording multiple outbreaks over the decades.
The latest outbreak comes only months after Congolese authorities declared an earlier Ebola epidemic over in late 2025 following weeks of intensive vaccination campaigns and emergency medical interventions. That previous outbreak had also claimed dozens of lives before health officials successfully contained it.
International organisations including the World Health Organization are now expected to intensify support for Congo’s health sector through vaccine deployment, emergency treatment centres, and public awareness campaigns aimed at limiting further spread. However, analysts warn that insecurity and poor road access in affected communities may complicate efforts to quickly bring the outbreak under control.
