The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a new Ebola outbreak in Guinea after several confirmed cases of the virus were reported in the southeastern region of the country. The announcement comes following the deaths of at least three people, with four others currently receiving treatment for Ebola-like symptoms.

The first cases were detected in the town of Gouécké, near the border with Liberia and Sierra Leone. Health officials have since launched an urgent response to contain the virus and prevent it from spreading further within Guinea and to neighboring countries.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the urgency of the situation in a statement. “We are very concerned about the resurgence of Ebola in Guinea, but we are tapping into the expertise and experience gained in previous outbreaks to respond swiftly and effectively. WHO is working closely with the health authorities in Guinea to coordinate efforts,” she said.

This outbreak is the first since Guinea was declared Ebola-free in 2016, following a devastating epidemic in West Africa that lasted from 2014 to 2016 and claimed more than 11,000 lives across Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Health officials in the region are now implementing measures to trace contacts of those infected, increase surveillance, and deploy necessary resources to the affected areas.

The WHO and Guinea’s Ministry of Health have also activated emergency teams to strengthen border control and implement vaccination efforts using the Ebola vaccine developed during the last major outbreak. The vaccine, produced by Merck, was widely credited with helping to end the epidemic in West Africa and has since become a key tool in controlling new outbreaks of the virus.

Dr. Ibrahima Soce Fall, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Emergency Response, highlighted the importance of immediate action. “We need to act quickly to stop this outbreak in its tracks, especially given its location near international borders. Our priority is to provide the necessary support to the Guinean authorities as they work to protect their communities.”

Health experts are closely monitoring the situation as efforts continue to prevent the virus from spreading within and beyond Guinea’s borders.