GOMA — A new Ebola case has been confirmed in Sud‑Ubangi province, a remote area in the north‑western corner of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The patient, a man who died on Tuesday in the town of Gwaka, tested positive for the virus, according to Jean‑Rene Galekwa Vundawe, the acting governor of Sud‑Ubangi.
Travel route raises concern for regional spread
Governor Vundawe explained that the deceased travelled from South Kivu province in eastern Congo, crossing through Rwanda and Uganda before re‑entering the DRC and arriving in Sud‑Ubangi, which borders the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. The long journey, which involved both road and river transport, means that a large number of contacts may have been exposed.
Health officials confirm diagnosis
Jean‑Jacques Muyembe, head of the DRC’s National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, confirmed the positive test on Friday. He stressed that rapid laboratory confirmation is essential for mounting an effective response and preventing further transmission.
Authorities mobilise contact‑tracing efforts
Jean‑Jacques Mbungani, a former health minister and current lawmaker from the region, warned on the social‑media platform X that the extensive travel network used by the patient could put neighbouring provinces and even bordering countries at risk. He called for swift contact‑tracing, quarantine of exposed individuals, and heightened surveillance at border crossings.
No local transmission confirmed yet
Despite the confirmed case, health officials have not yet identified any secondary infections in Sud‑Ubangi. The province has therefore not been added to the official list of regions affected by the ongoing outbreak, which was first confirmed in mid‑May.
Outbreak context
The current Ebola outbreak is the DRC’s 17th recorded event and, with 6,942 infections and 3,349 deaths reported to date, it is the second‑largest on record after the West African epidemic of 2014‑2016. The response has involved coordinated efforts from the DRC Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and numerous international partners.
What residents can do
Local health authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant, report any symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bleeding, and cooperate with contact‑tracing teams. Travelers moving between provinces are advised to follow strict hygiene protocols, avoid unnecessary contact with the sick, and seek medical attention promptly if they feel unwell.
International cooperation remains critical
Given Sud‑Ubangi’s proximity to the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, cross‑border collaboration will be essential. Neighboring governments have been asked to share surveillance data and support joint containment measures to limit the virus’s spread beyond the DRC’s borders.
The situation remains fluid, and health officials will continue to update the public as more information becomes available.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
