Congo Declares New Ebola Outbreak After 15 Deaths, Dozens of Suspected Cases

Ebola drew worldwide attention during the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic, which killed more than 11,000 people.

A health worker puts on Ebola protection gear before entering the Biosecure Emergency Care Unit at the Alliance for International Medical Action Ebola treatment center in Beni, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on March 31, 2019. REUTERS/Baz Ratner/File Photo

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have declared a new Ebola virus outbreak, reporting 15 deaths and 28 suspected cases since late August.

The epicenter of the outbreak is in Kasai Province, in the southwest of the equatorial African country, health officials said Thursday. The first case was identified on Aug. 20 in a 34-year-old pregnant woman admitted to hospital with symptoms including high fever and vomiting.