Ebola Outbreak Declared in DRC's Kasai Province After 15 Years

On September 4, 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Ministry of Health declared an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in Kasai Province, marking the region's first encounter with the virus since 2008. The outbreak is primarily affecting the Bulape and Mweka health zones, with 81 confirmed cases and 28 deaths reported as of September 14.

The index case was a 34-year-old pregnant woman from Bulape who was admitted to the local hospital on August 20 with symptoms including fever, vomiting, and hemorrhage. Despite receiving care, she died on August 25. Subsequent cases emerged among healthcare workers and individuals who had contact with the initial patient.

In response, the DRC's Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has initiated a vaccination campaign targeting frontline health workers and contacts of confirmed cases. An initial shipment of 400 doses of the Ervebo vaccine has been delivered to Bulape, with plans for additional doses to follow. WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamad Janabi, stated, "Banking on the country's long-standing expertise in controlling viral disease outbreaks, we're working closely with the health authorities to quickly scale up key response measures to end the outbreak as soon as possible."

The outbreak presents significant challenges due to Kasai's remote location, limited infrastructure, and ongoing conflicts. Efforts to contain the virus include movement restrictions and the establishment of checkpoints around affected areas. The region's limited healthcare infrastructure and ongoing conflicts exacerbate the situation, making containment efforts more challenging.

This is the DRC's 16th Ebola outbreak since 1976 and the first in Kasai Province since 2008. The DRC has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks since 1976, with the most significant being the 2018–2020 epidemic in eastern Congo, which resulted in over 1,000 deaths.

The outbreak has heightened concerns among residents, leading some to flee the area to avoid quarantine measures. The region's limited healthcare infrastructure and ongoing conflicts exacerbate the situation, making containment efforts more challenging.

Ebola virus disease is a severe, often fatal illness in humans, transmitted through close contact with the blood or secretions of infected individuals or animals. The Zaire ebolavirus strain is known for its high mortality rate.

The DRC is currently facing concurrent outbreaks, including mpox, cholera, and malaria, alongside the Ebola outbreak. The ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country has significantly increased the risk of disease spread, complicating containment efforts.