Africa CDC declares Ebola outbreak in DR Congo’s Ituri province after 65 reported deaths

Where is the outbreak centered?

The reported cases and deaths are concentrated in Ituri province in eastern DR Congo, mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia, the provincial capital, but those were still awaiting confirmation in the cited reports BBC,Independent,Franceinfo.

Why are regional health officials concerned about spread beyond the immediate area?

Africa CDC said the outbreak is in a border region near Uganda and South Sudan and in areas with substantial population movement, including mining towns, which can complicate containment. That is why the agency called an urgent meeting with neighboring countries and partners to reinforce surveillance and response Guardian,Reuters.

What is still unresolved about this outbreak?

Officials said sequencing was still underway to determine the exact strain after initial findings suggested a non-Zaire strain of Ebola. In addition, some suspected cases in Bunia had not yet been confirmed by laboratory testing Hindu,Reuters,Franceinfo.