Urgent Meeting as Ebola Cases Rise in DRC

A potential new Ebola strain, not of the Zaire ebolavirus type, is suspected in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sequencing is underway, with results expected within the next 24 hours to further characterize the strain. Cases and deaths have been concentrated in Mongwalu and Rwampara, with four fatalities confirmed among laboratory-confirmed cases. The Africa CDC has expressed concern over the risk of further spread due to the urban settings of Bunia and Rwampara, significant population movement, and other challenges.

To address the growing threat, the Africa CDC is organizing an urgent high-level coordination meeting today. This meeting will bring together health authorities from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, along with representatives from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and other global health and scientific organizations. The CDC is preparing comprehensive support, focusing on coordination, digital surveillance, cross-border preparedness, and community engagement. They will also assess medical countermeasures once the exact Ebola species is confirmed.