DR Congo Confirms First Ebola Case in M23-Controlled South Kivu

the first confirmed infection in the province since the latest outbreak of the deadly virus
According to the M23 spokesperson, laboratory tests confirmed a new Ebola case in Bukavu

Health authorities have confirmed the first case of Ebola in South Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, an area currently controlled by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group.

Eko Hot Blog gathered that the development was disclosed on Thursday by an M23 spokesperson, marking the first confirmed infection in the province since the latest outbreak of the deadly virus, which the World Health Organisation has classified as an international public health emergency.

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Containment efforts have been complicated by the persistent conflict in eastern DRC, where fighting between government forces and M23 rebels has continued to disrupt public services and humanitarian operations.

The M23 group, which controls parts of the mineral-rich eastern region with support from Rwanda, has established administrative structures in territories under its control, operating separately from the Congolese government.

DR Congo Confirms First Ebola Case in M23-Controlled South Kivu

However, the rebel administration now faces the challenge of responding to a major public health crisis, as Ebola has claimed more than 15,000 lives across Africa over the last five decades.

According to the M23 spokesperson, laboratory tests confirmed a new Ebola case in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province, which has been under M23 control since February 2025.

The spokesperson added that the infected individual had travelled from Kisangani, a major city in Tshopo Province in eastern DRC, where no cases linked to the current outbreak had previously been reported.

Health officials are expected to intensify surveillance and response efforts to prevent further spread of the virus in the region.

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