Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has convened an emergency regional coordination meeting following a deadly Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo amid fears of cross-border transmission.
Health authorities say the outbreak, confirmed in Ituri Province, has already recorded about 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones.
Africa CDC announced on Friday that it was working closely with the DRC Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Institute and international partners to contain the outbreak.
Preliminary laboratory tests conducted by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale detected the Ebola virus in 13 out of 20 samples analysed.
Officials said results suggest the outbreak may involve a non-Zaire ebolavirus strain, while further sequencing is ongoing.
The agency warned that the outbreak poses a major regional threat due to heavy population movement, insecurity, weak infection control systems and mining-related migration in affected communities.
Health authorities also expressed concern over the proximity of affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan, raising fears of international spread.
The emergency meeting brought together representatives from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan alongside global health organisations including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Gavi and Médecins Sans Frontières.
“Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they respond to this outbreak,” said Jean Kaseya.
“Rapid regional coordination is essential.”
The Africa CDC urged residents in affected communities to report symptoms early, avoid contact with suspected cases and cooperate with emergency response teams.
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Hussaini Ibrahim 