A new outbreak of the highly contagious Ebola virus has been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's remote Ituri province. Africa CDC reports that 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases of the deadly haemorrhagic fever have been recorded so far.
The deaths and suspected cases have occurred mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Because the province shares borders with Uganda and South Sudan, there is high concern regarding the potential spread of the virus.
African health officials are racing to coordinate and contain the infection. These efforts are complicated by a precarious security situation as the country battles several armed groups in the area. Additionally, concerns have been raised that the cases may have been caused by a new strain of the virus.