Frequent burials, at least 80 dead as Congo grapples with Ebola outbreak
At least 80 deaths have been reported in eastern Congo's Ituri province amid a new Ebola outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus variant. Health officials are intensifying screening and contact tracing, while neighboring Uganda confirmed one imported case. Logistical challenges and regional instability are complicating containment efforts.
- ▪At least 80 deaths have been reported in Congo's Ituri province during the current Ebola outbreak.
- ▪The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a less common Ebola variant with no approved vaccines or treatments.
- ▪Uganda confirmed one imported Ebola case from Congo, but no secondary infections have been reported locally.
- ▪The suspected index case is a nurse who died in Bunia on April 24, presenting symptoms consistent with Ebola.
- ▪Doctors Without Borders has warned the rapid spread is extremely concerning and is preparing a large-scale response.
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HealthWatch Frequent burials and at least 80 dead as Congo grapples with Ebola outbreak .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-healthwatch.jpg'); } May 16, 2026 / 12:13 PM EDT / CBS/AP Add CBS News on Google At least 80 deaths have been reported in Congo's new Ebola disease outbreak in the eastern Ituri province, authorities said, as health workers raced Saturday to intensify screening and contact tracing to contain the disease. Officials first announced the outbreak on Friday, with 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases. Locals in Ituri's capital, Bunia, said they were afraid for their lives amid frequent burials. "Every day, people are dying ... and this has been going on for about a week.
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