The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has confirmed a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Kasai Province, marking the country’s 16th recorded epidemic since the virus was first identified in 1976.
The outbreak, declared on 2 September, has already resulted in 15 deaths and 28 suspected cases, including four healthcare workers, according to the Ministry of Health. The index case was a 34-year-old pregnant woman admitted in late August to a hospital in Bulape with high fever, vomiting, and bleeding symptoms. She died shortly after admission, triggering concerns of wider transmission among hospital staff and the community. Laboratory tests confirmed the Zaire strain of the virus — one of the deadliest Ebola variants. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that further cases are likely, citing ongoing transmission and challenging access to the remote affected areas.
In response, the Africa CDC and WHO have deployed teams to Kasai to bolster surveillance, infection control, and laboratory capacity. WHO has also dispatched 2 metric tons of protective and medical supplies, and plans to deliver 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine to immunize frontline workers and close contacts. “We’re acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities,” said WHO Africa Director Mohamed Janabi, adding that “we’re working closely with the health authorities to quickly scale up key response measures to end the outbreak as soon as possible.” Ebola has a fatality rate averaging 50%, with transmission primarily occurring through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals.