The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported a new Ebola virus disease outbreak in Kasai Province, resulting in 15 deaths, including four healthcare workers, and 28 suspected cases as of September 4, 2025.
The outbreak has been confirmed in the Bulape and Mweka health zones, where affected individuals showed fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and hemorrhaging. This comes amid ongoing health challenges in Central and West Africa, including cholera, malnutrition, and widespread displacement.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that samples tested on September 3 at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa confirmed the strain as Ebola Zaire. WHO has deployed a Rapid Response Team along with experts in epidemiology, laboratory analysis, infection prevention, and case management to strengthen disease surveillance, treatment, and containment measures in Kasai.
Two tonnes of medical supplies, including personal protective equipment and mobile lab equipment, have been dispatched to the affected region, which is remote and takes a full day’s travel from the provincial capital, Tshikapa. Risk communication experts are also engaging local communities to educate them on preventive measures.
Ebola is a rare but severe virus, transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or bodily fluids from infected humans, including those who have died from the disease.
The DRC has faced 15 Ebola outbreaks since 1976, with the last outbreak in Equateur Province in 2022, which was contained within three months. Kasai Province previously reported Ebola cases in 2007 and 2008.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, said, “We are working urgently to contain the virus and protect communities. By leveraging the DRC’s extensive experience in outbreak response, we aim to scale up key measures and end this outbreak as quickly as possible.”
WHO cautioned that case numbers are likely to rise as transmission continues.
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