A new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kasai province has resulted in 31 deaths, with 48 reported cases—38 of which are confirmed.
According to the WHO, on September 18, fifteen patients are currently receiving treatment in Bulape, the epicenter of the outbreak, while two have been discharged. A vaccination campaign is underway, with 760 doses delivered and more than 500 health workers and contacts already inoculated. An additional 45,000 doses are expected in Kinshasa soon, though logistical challenges remain due to Bulape’s remote location.
Transmission has slowed due to rapid interventions, but officials emphasize the need for continued vigilance, faster testing, and contact tracing. This marks the DRC’s 16th Ebola outbreak since the virus was first identified in 1976. The previous outbreak, which ended in 2022, was linked to a major 2018–2020 epidemic that killed nearly 2,300 people. Ebola is a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever known for severe symptoms including internal and external bleeding.