Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province, where 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, have been confirmed.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) in a statement on Thursday, said the outbreak has spread to Bulape and Mweka health zones in Kasai Province.
The cases presented symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and haemorrhage.
The outbreak comes as Central and West Africa face multiple overlapping health crises, including cholera and malnutrition.
The DRC has experienced 15 Ebola outbreaks since the disease was first identified in 1976. Its last outbreak in 2022 was brought under control within three months. Kasai Province previously recorded outbreaks in 2007 and 2008.
Ebola virus disease is a rare but severe illness that spreads through close contact with the blood or body fluids of infected persons or animals. It has a high fatality rate and has historically strained fragile health systems across the continent.
WHO noted in its statement that laboratory tests conducted on 3 September at the country’s National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa confirmed Ebola Zaire as the cause of the new outbreak.
A national rapid response team supported by WHO experts has been deployed to the affected areas to strengthen disease surveillance, case management, and infection prevention in health facilities.
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