The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading to eastern South Kivu province, where the first confirmed case is reported in an area controlled by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia. Multiple outlets cite an M23 spokesman confirming that tests establish a new positive case. The case is reported in South Kivu’s provincial capital, Bukavu, which fell under M23 control in February 2025. The reporting also notes that the confirmed patient is described as having come from Kisangani, a major city in the neighbouring Tshopo province, where no Ebola infections from the current outbreak had been recorded.
The situation is occurring amid ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. Several reports link operational difficulties for response teams to the DRC’s long-running fighting, including clashes involving M23 and government forces in the mineral-rich region. France 24 and others also describe growing fears due to the outbreak’s rapid spread, particularly in territory affected by M23 control. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak an international emergency, while humanitarian and response efforts face constraints tied to insecurity and broader funding pressures mentioned by some outlets. Separately, one outlet says a case was also confirmed in Goma in neighbouring North Kivu under M23 control.
