An outbreak of Ebola has killed 65 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with 246 suspected cases reported in the conflict-hit Ituri province, which borders Uganda and South Sudan. Uganda's health ministry confirmed an outbreak after a 59-year-old man died in Kampala after traveling from the DRC. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention expressed concern about further spread due to high population movement in mining towns.
The DRC's national research laboratory detected the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no licensed vaccine exists, unlike the Zaire strain. Africa CDC is convening an urgent meeting with authorities from the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, WHO, and pharmaceutical companies. Cases have been reported mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, with suspected cases in Bunia.