What to know about new Ebola outbreak that has killed scores of people in Congo

Añadido: 2026-05-25

[00:00:04]Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo are responding to a new Ebola outbreak that has already killed dozens of people. Here's what we know so far. Africa's public health agency, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says there have been 246 suspected cases and at least 65 deaths linked to the outbreak in northeastern Congo. Laboratory tests have so far confirmed Ebola in 13 samples. Officials say the outbreak is worrying because some cases have been detected near Buna, a major city close to the borders of Uganda and South Sudan. Experts warn crossber travel and ongoing insecurity in the region could make the virus harder to contain.

[00:00:45]Scientists are also investigating whether this may be a different Ebola strain than the one most current vaccines target. More testing is now underway.

[00:00:55]This is Congo's 17th recorded Ebola outbreak since the virus first emerged there in 1976.

[00:01:02]Ebola spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids and can cause fever, vomiting, and severe weakness.

[00:01:08]The disease can be deadly if not treated quickly.