Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have confirmed a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province. As of 4 September 2025, 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, have been reported. The outbreak has mainly affected Bulape and Mweka health zones. People who fell sick showed symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and bleeding. Laboratory tests carried out in Kinshasa on 3 September confirmed the cause as the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus. A national rapid response team, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), is

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have confirmed a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province. As of 4 September 2025, 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, have been reported. The outbreak has mainly affected Bulape and Mweka health zones. People who fell sick showed symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and bleeding. Laboratory tests carried out in Kinshasa on 3 September confirmed the cause as the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus. A national rapid response team, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), is already on the ground. Experts in epidemiology, case management, and infection control are working with local health workers to trace infections, treat patients, and prevent further spread. “We’re acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Banking on the country’s long-standing expertise in controlling viral disease outbreaks, we’re working closely with the health authorities to quickly scale up key response measures to end the outbreak as soon as possible.” WHO has also delivered two tonnes of supplies, including protective gear, mobile lab equipment, and medicines. But reaching Kasai Province is difficult, with limited air access and a road journey of at least one day from the provincial capital, Tshikapa. Vaccination is expected to play a key role in stopping the outbreak. The DRC already has 2,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine, which will be moved quickly to Kasai to protect frontline health workers and contacts of confirmed cases. Authorities warn that more cases are likely as the virus is still spreading, but response teams are moving fast to contain it. This is not the first time Kasai has faced Ebola. The province reported outbreaks in 2007 and 2008. Overall, the DRC has experienced 15 Ebola outbreaks since the disease was first identified in 1976. The most recent, in Equateur Province in 2022, was controlled in under three months. Ebola is a rare but deadly disease that spreads through direct contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person or animal. It often begins with fever, weakness, and body pains, and can lead to severe bleeding and death.

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