A deadly new Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo has already claimed at least 65 lives, raising fears that the virus could spread across nearby borders as health officials scramble to contain the crisis.
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, only four of the reported deaths have been laboratory-confirmed so far, but authorities warn the situation is rapidly escalating.
Health officials are especially worried because the outbreak is happening near the borders of Uganda and South Sudan — two areas with heavy cross-border traffic and ongoing security challenges that could make containment far more difficult.
Ebola is one of the world’s deadliest viruses and spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids including blood, vomit, and semen. The virus can also spread through contaminated clothing, bedding, and surfaces.
People infected with Ebola often suffer terrifying symptoms including high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, severe muscle pain, and internal or external bleeding. In many cases, the disease is fatal.
The latest outbreak marks the 17th Ebola outbreak recorded in Congo since the virus was first discovered there in 1976.
The country was already hit by another Ebola outbreak just five months ago that killed 43 people. A separate outbreak in 2022 claimed six lives.
Now, health officials fear the newest wave could become even more dangerous if the virus spreads beyond the affected region.
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