A new Ebola outbreak has been declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in at least 15 deaths and 28 suspected cases, primarily in the Kasai province, prompting a swift international response to contain the spread. Health authorities and the World Health Organization are mobilizing resources, including vaccines and medical supplies, to address the crisis.
The outbreak was confirmed on September 4, 2025, after a 34-year-old pregnant woman in the Mweka Territory of Kasai province exhibited symptoms including high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, and died hours later from multiple organ failure. This case has been identified as the Zaire strain of Ebola, known for its high fatality rate, and marks the 16th such outbreak in the country’s history.
Suspected cases have risen to 28, with the death toll including four health workers, highlighting the risks faced by medical personnel in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s health ministry, led by Minister Roger Kamba, has urged strict adherence to preventive measures such as frequent handwashing and social distancing in affected areas to curb transmission.
In response, the World Health Organization has deployed experts to assist local teams in strengthening disease surveillance, treatment, and infection control. The WHO is also shipping two tonnes of medical and laboratory supplies to support efforts on the ground, emphasizing a determined approach to halt the virus’s spread and protect vulnerable communities.
Historical context reveals that DR Congo has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks, with the most recent in April 2022 in Equateur province resulting in six deaths, while a devastating 2018-2020 outbreak in the east killed over 2,000 people. The country’s poor health services and ongoing conflicts, particularly in eastern regions, complicate response efforts and increase the risk of wider transmission.
Looking ahead, health officials warn that case numbers are likely to increase as transmission continues, and response teams are working to trace contacts and isolate potential cases. Vaccination campaigns using the stockpiled Ervebo vaccine, effective against the Zaire strain, are being prioritized to immunize at-risk populations and prevent further fatalities.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with hopes that rapid intervention will contain the outbreak before it escalates into a larger crisis, similar to past epidemics in the region.