Thirty dead at DRC displacement camp as Ebola threat grows

Thirty people have died since May 2024 at the Kigonze displacement camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with health officials investigating a potential Ebola outbreak. The deaths, which began in early May, have primarily affected children under five years old, with symptoms including fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. The World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed a rapid response team to the region, which is located in the North Kivu province, an area that has previously experienced Ebola outbreaks. Local health authorities confirmed that samples have been collected from deceased individuals and sent for laboratory testing to determine if the deaths are linked to the Ebola virus. The Kigonze camp currently houses over 15,000 internally displaced persons, many of whom fled conflict in surrounding areas. The DRC's Ministry of Health has urged residents to report any suspected cases immediately and to practice enhanced hygiene measures. This potential outbreak raises concerns given the camp's dense population and limited access to healthcare facilities. The last major Ebola outbreak in the DRC concluded in July 2022.