The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported 131 suspected deaths and 513 suspected cases in its latest Ebola outbreak, Health Minister Roger Kamba said Tuesday, as authorities continue investigations into the scale and severity of the epidemic.
Speaking at a briefing in the capital Kinshasa following a visit to affected areas, Kamba cautioned that the figures remain provisional.
“These are suspected deaths, and investigations are underway to determine which are actually linked to the disease,” he said.
Health authorities in the DRC declared a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease on May 15 in the eastern province of Ituri, marking the country’s 17th recorded outbreak since 1976. Confirmed cases have also been detected in neighboring North Kivu province.
According to the health ministry, the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which is generally considered less deadly than the Zaire strain. Officials emphasized that the country has accumulated significant experience responding to previous Ebola outbreaks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on Sunday, citing cross-border transmission risks.
Two confirmed cases linked to travel from the DRC were reported in Kampala, Uganda, on May 15 and 16, with both patients admitted to intensive care units, according to the WHO.
Regional governments have since stepped up surveillance and preparedness measures. Countries including Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania have increased border screening and emergency response coordination to limit potential spread.
On Monday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also classified the outbreak as a public health emergency of continental security, underscoring growing concern over regional transmission.
The outbreak has renewed attention on the DRC’s vulnerability to recurring Ebola flare-ups, particularly in its eastern provinces, where population movement and cross-border trade complicate containment efforts.