Health authorities confirmed a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Friday.

Hundreds of suspected cases have been reported in Ituri Province, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Preliminary tests by the National Institute of Biomedical Research detected the virus in 13 of 20 samples, Africa CDC said in a statement, citing consultations with the DRC’s Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute.

In a statement, the public health agency said the latest update shows about 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones.

“Four deaths have been reported among laboratory-confirmed cases. Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia, pending confirmation,” the centre said.

It expressed concern over the risk of further spread due to the urban context of Bunia and Rwampara, intense population movement, mining-related mobility in Mongwalu, insecurity in affected areas, gaps in contact listing, infection prevention and control challenges, and the proximity of affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan.

To avert that, the centre said it is closely monitoring the outbreak and working with national authorities and partners to support a rapid, coordinated response.

Africa CDC warned of a high risk of further spread due to urban settings, population movement, mining activities, insecurity and proximity to Uganda and South Sudan.

The agency is convening an urgent meeting on Friday afternoon with health authorities from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, as well as key international partners, to strengthen cross-border coordination, surveillance and response efforts.

Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya stressed that rapid regional coordination is essential due to the high mobility between affected areas and neighbouring countries.

“Africa CDC is preparing support across key response pillars, including coordination through emergency operations mechanisms, digital surveillance and data management, cross-border preparedness, laboratory coordination, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement.”

Preliminary laboratory results from the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) have detected Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples tested.

“Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they respond to this outbreak. Given the high population movement between affected areas and neighbouring countries, rapid regional coordination is essential. We are working with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and partners to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response, and to help contain the outbreak as quickly as possible,” said Dr Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC.

Communities in affected and at-risk areas were urged to follow guidance from national health authorities, report symptoms promptly, avoid direct contact with suspected cases and support response teams working to protect communities.

The centre said it will release additional information later, including sequencing results once available. It said the results suggest a non-Zaire ebolavirus, with sequencing ongoing to further characterise the strain.

“Results are expected within the next 24 hours with support from Africa CDC,” the statement said.

In the meantime, Africa CDC convened an urgent high-level coordination meeting on May15, with health authorities from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, together with key partners including the WHO, UNICEF and FAO, among others, to strategise on immediate response priorities, cross-border coordination, surveillance, laboratory support, infection prevention and control, risk communication, safe and dignified burials, and resource mobilisation

• A Tell Media / Xinhua report