3 min readMay 16, 2026 11:48 AM ISTA health worker sprays disinfectant on his colleague after working at an Ebola treatment center in Beni, eastern Congo. (AP Photo)Africa’s top public health agency has confirmed a fresh Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), health officials warning of a high risk of cross-border transmission as suspected cases emerge near Uganda and South Sudan.According to news agency Reuters, laboratory tests conducted at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in Kinshasa confirmed Ebola infections in several samples collected from the affected areas.The World Health Organization (WHO) said it first received alerts about suspected Ebola cases on May 5 and dispatched emergency teams to Ituri province. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said initial field samples tested negative, but further testing in Kinshasa confirmed positive Ebola cases on Thursday.Outbreak amid worsening regional securityUganda has already confirmed one imported Ebola case linked to the outbreak. According to Ugandan health authorities, a 59-year-old Congolese man died in a Kampala hospital after testing positive for the Bundibugyo strain. Officials said no local transmission has yet been detected in Uganda. Reuters reported that the patient had travelled from eastern Congo before being admitted to intensive care.Africa CDC warned that mining-related mobility, dense urban settlements in Bunia and Rwampara, and large-scale population movement across borders significantly increase the risk of regional spread. The agency has convened an emergency coordination meeting involving the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, WHO and international partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance and response systems.The outbreak is unfolding amid worsening insecurity in Ituri province, where clashes involving armed groups have displaced thousands of civilians and strained already fragile health infrastructure. Reuters reported that humanitarian agencies have warned of deteriorating sanitation conditions in displacement camps, raising concerns about rapid disease transmission.What is Ebola?Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people or contaminated materials. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, internal bleeding and organ failure. According to WHO estimates, the disease has an average fatality rate of around 50%, although rates vary depending on the outbreak and availability of treatment.Story continues below this adThe DRC’s deadliest Ebola outbreak occurred between 2018 and 2020, when nearly 2,300 people died in the country’s east. Last year, another outbreak in Kasai province killed 45 people before it was declared over in December.The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Ebola virus outbreakRepublic of CongoAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...Advertisement