Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have confirmed the country’s first officially recorded Ebola case linked to the latest outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
According to reports, the confirmed case was detected in South Kivu Province, an area currently facing insecurity and militia activity, including territories controlled by the M23 rebel group.
The patient, identified as a 28-year-old man who reportedly travelled from Kisangani, later died after developing Ebola symptoms. Health officials said safe burial procedures were immediately carried out to reduce the risk of further transmission.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Congolese health authorities have intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and emergency response efforts following the confirmation. The WHO has already declared the outbreak in the DRC and neighbouring Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
The outbreak is being caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine specifically designed for the variant.
As of the latest update, hundreds of suspected cases and more than 100 deaths have been reported across affected regions in the DRC and Uganda, with health officials warning that insecurity, population displacement, and cross-border movement may complicate containment efforts.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also issued travel advisories and enhanced screening recommendations for travellers heading to affected areas.
The DRC has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified in the country in 1976, making this the country’s 17th recorded outbreak.
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