The Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ebola epidemic began circulating in February, four months before its official declaration, according to new World Health Organization findings that suggest early cases were misdiagnosed as malaria and typhoid.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Yakub Janabi said genetic sequencing conducted by Professor Ahuka confirmed the virus was active in Ituri province well before the outbreak was formally announced on 15 May, after the death toll surpassed 1,700 and cases exceeded 3,800. Confirmed cases have now reached 4,200, including at least 1,900 deaths, government figures show, making it the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record.
The delay mirrors previous outbreaks, including the 2014-2016 West Africa crisis, where declarations came weeks or months after transmission began. Neighbouring Uganda declared itself Ebola-free on 28 July after 20 cases, most imported from the DRC.