Kinshasa: At least 15 people have died in a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, health authorities confirmed. The outbreak was first detected in a 34-year-old pregnant woman admitted to a hospital last month with high fever and repeated vomiting. She died within hours from multiple organ failure.

The outbreak, the 16th in the central African nation, has been reported in the central Kasai province, with 28 suspected cases recorded so far. Officials confirmed that the virus strain involved is the Zaire strain, known for its high mortality rate.

Among the deceased are four health workers, highlighting the risks faced by frontline medical staff. Authorities have urged residents in high-risk areas to strictly follow preventive measures, including frequent handwashing and maintaining social distancing where possible.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that it is working "with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities." WHO teams, along with local health officials, are actively identifying potential cases to ensure prompt treatment and containment.

DR Congo maintains a stockpile of treatments, including 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which is effective against the Zaire strain of Ebola. The last outbreak in the country, three years ago, resulted in six deaths, while the 2018-2020 outbreak claimed over 2,000 lives.

Ebola, first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now DR Congo, is believed to originate from fruit bats. The virus spreads through direct contact with the blood, vomit, feces, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals, entering through broken skin or mucous membranes.

Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as the response teams work to contain the virus and prevent further fatalities.