Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Mpox Case Confirmed in Bunia Amid Congo’s Ebola Outbreak
A woman in Bunia has tested positive for mpox.
Mpox can cause fever and skin lesions and can spread through close physical contact.
Another woman may also have the disease, but her test results are not ready.
Both women have been isolated and are receiving medical care.
Health workers are checking who may have been in contact with them.
Officials are also investigating three other suspected cases in Bunia.
Congo recently ended a national mpox emergency after a large outbreak.
The ongoing Ebola outbreak is making it harder for health workers to watch for other diseases.
A laboratory-confirmed mpox case was identified in Bunia, northeastern Congo.
The patient is a 21-year-old woman who was hospitalized with lesions across her body.
A 32-year-old woman is a suspected case and is awaiting laboratory results.
Five suspected mpox cases in Bunia are reportedly under investigation, while contact tracing continues.
Health officials say the Ebola outbreak is complicating efforts to monitor other infections.
- Who
- A 21-year-old woman was confirmed to have mpox; a 32-year-old woman and five other suspected cases are under investigation. Health officials and hospital director Davin Ambitapio Musungufu are leading the local response.
- What
- A laboratory-confirmed mpox case was identified, with another suspected case and additional investigations underway.
- When
- The confirmed patient was admitted on Thursday and tested positive on Friday; the report was published September 25.
- Where
- Bunia, in Ituri province in northeastern Congo.
- Why
- Officials are investigating a possible resurgence of mpox while the Ebola outbreak is placing additional strain on Congo’s health system.
- Confirmed case
- A 21-year-old woman tested positive for mpox.
- Suspected case
- A 32-year-old woman is awaiting laboratory results.
- Additional investigations
- Five suspected mpox cases in Bunia are under investigation.
- Current response
- The two identified women have been isolated and are receiving care from a dedicated medical team.
- Recent mpox history
- Congo ended its national mpox public health emergency in April after a three-year outbreak involving more than 34,000 confirmed cases nationwide.
- Ebola outbreak
- The outbreak in Ituri province was declared on May 15 and has infected 7,890 people and killed 3,799, according to government data cited in the report.
- Public-health concern
- Officials say the Ebola outbreak is complicating monitoring of other infections.