Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have declared an Ebola virus disease outbreak in Kasai Province, reporting 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, as of 4 September 2025. The outbreak has affected the Bulape and Mweka health zones, where patients presented with fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and haemorrhage. Laboratory tests conducted on 3 September at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa confirmed the cause as Ebola Zaire.
A national Rapid Response Team, supported by World Health Organization (WHO) experts in epidemiology, infection prevention, laboratory work, and case management, has been deployed to Kasai Province to strengthen disease surveillance, treatment, and infection control in health facilities. Provincial risk communication specialists are also working with local communities to provide guidance on protective measures.
WHO is delivering two tonnes of critical supplies, including personal protective equipment, mobile laboratory equipment, and medical materials. The region is remote, requiring at least a full day of travel from Tshikapa, the provincial capital, with limited air transport options.
Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the urgent efforts to halt the virus’s spread and protect communities, highlighting collaboration with national health authorities to rapidly scale up response measures. Transmission remains ongoing, and case numbers are expected to rise as response teams identify and treat infected individuals.
The country has prepositioned 2,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine in Kinshasa, which will be deployed to Kasai to vaccinate contacts and frontline health workers. Treatments are also available in the national stockpile to support patient care.
The DRC’s last Ebola outbreak occurred in Equateur Province in April 2022 and was controlled within three months through robust public health measures. Kasai has experienced previous outbreaks in 2007 and 2008, and the country has reported a total of 15 Ebola outbreaks since the disease was first identified in 1976.
Ebola virus disease is a rare but severe illness in humans, often fatal. It is transmitted through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected animals, such as fruit bats, which are considered natural hosts. Human-to-human transmission occurs via direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals, contaminated objects, or the bodies of deceased patients.
