The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on Friday that an Ebola outbreak is under way in the Northeastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While the DRC reports 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, Uganda has identified one 'imported' case.

Although this new outbreak ranks around the 10th largest in history, it is notable for not being caused by the Zaire Ebola virus strain. Further genetic sequencing is underway to identify the exact strain responsible.

The four strains known to cause Ebola in humans are Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo and Reston. Three of these have caused large outbreaks, but only Zaire and Sudan are currently accounted for in vaccines and treatments developed against the disease.

According to Jean-Jacques Muyembe, a Congolese virologist who co-discovered Ebola, finding a different strain could complicate responses as current licensed vaccines and treatments were developed specifically against the Zaire strain.

This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC since 1976, suggesting ongoing challenges in controlling the virus despite years of experience and knowledge.