Ebola Outbreak Declared in DRC’s Kasai Province as WHO Deploys Rapid Response Team

Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have declared a fresh outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province, with 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths — including four health workers — reported as of September 4, 2025.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) statement on Thursday, the outbreak has hit Bulape and Mweka health zones, where patients presented with fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and haemorrhage. Investigations confirmed the Ebola Zaire strain as the cause, following laboratory tests conducted on September 3 at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa.

This marks another challenge for the region, which is already grappling with multiple crises including cholera outbreaks, malnutrition, and displacement. Kasai Province previously experienced Ebola outbreaks in 2007 and 2008, while the most recent national outbreak in Equateur Province was successfully contained in 2022. Overall, DRC has recorded 15 outbreaks since Ebola was first identified in 1976.

WHO said it has dispatched a national Rapid Response Team, supported by experts in epidemiology, infection prevention, laboratory services, and case management. Risk communication specialists have also been deployed to educate communities on prevention. Additionally, two tonnes of supplies — including protective gear, medical equipment, and mobile labs — are being delivered, despite the province’s challenging terrain and limited transport links.

“We’re acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities,” said Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa. He stressed that case numbers may rise as transmission continues, but swift interventions aim to curb the spread.

The country has also prepositioned 2,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine in Kinshasa, which will be quickly deployed to Kasai to protect contacts and frontline health workers.