The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a new Ebola outbreak, with health officials confirming a case in the southern Kasai province.
A 34-year-old pregnant woman has been identified as the latest infection, bringing the country’s suspected case count to 28, with 15 reported deaths. According to Health Minister Roger Kamba, “these figures remain provisional, as investigations are still ongoing.”
The outbreak has affected the Bulape and Mweka areas of Kasai province, with patients exhibiting typical Ebola symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and hemorrhaging.
In response, the World Health Organization has sent experts to join the DRC’s response team and will ship two tonnes of medical and lab supplies to the Central African country.
Mohamed Janabi, the WHO’s regional director for Africa, emphasized that “We’re acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities.”
Janabi further noted that the WHO is working closely with health authorities to quickly scale up key response measures, leveraging the country’s longstanding expertise in controlling viral disease outbreaks.
This outbreak marks the 16th time Ebola has hit the DRC, with the last reported case in April 2022 in the northwestern Equateur province.
Ebola, first identified in 1976, has caused a series of epidemics in various African countries, resulting in over 15,000 deaths. The death rate is typically high, ranging up to 90 percent in some outbreaks.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is grappling with its 16th Ebola outbreak, with 28 suspected cases and 15 reported deaths in the southern Kasai province.
The outbreak, confirmed on September 3, 2025, has prompted the World Health Organization to send experts to join the DRC’s response team and ship medical supplies to the affected area. Health Minister Roger Kamba emphasized that the figures are provisional, and investigations are ongoing.
The WHO is working closely with health authorities to rapidly strengthen disease surveillance, treatment, and infection prevention and control in health facilities.
Mohamed Janabi, the WHO’s regional director for Africa, stated, “We’re acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities.” The WHO has also shipped two tonnes of medical and lab supplies to the Central African country.
The DRC has experienced previous Ebola outbreaks, including in 2007 and 2008 in Kasai province.
The last outbreak occurred in April 2022 in the northwestern Equateur province and was brought under control in under three months.
According to the WHO, the country’s longstanding expertise in controlling viral disease outbreaks will be leveraged to quickly scale up key response measures.
Ebola virus disease is a rare but severe and often fatal illness in humans. It is transmitted through close contact with infected animals or people, particularly through bodily fluids.
The disease was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the DRC. Since then, it has caused a series of epidemics in various African countries, resulting in over 15,000 deaths. The death rate is typically high, ranging up to 90 percent in some outbreaks.
In 2018-2020, the DRC experienced a major Ebola outbreak in North Kivu, Ituri, and South Kivu provinces. The outbreak was declared over on June 25, 2020, after a 42-day period without any new cases.
The WHO played a crucial role in supporting the response efforts, including vaccination campaigns and contact tracing. The experience gained from this outbreak has likely contributed to the country’s improved response to the current outbreak.
In August 2022, the DRC declared another Ebola outbreak in the North Kivu province, which was later declared over on September 27, 2022.
The outbreak response efforts were led by the Ministry of Health, with support from the WHO and other partners. The WHO provided technical assistance, including epidemiological support, laboratory diagnostics, and vaccination.