New Ebola cases reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, claiming lives of 15 individuals

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed an Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Kasai Province, Bulape Health district of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On 4 September 2025, the WHO reported at least 42 cases (20 laboratory-confirmed) and 16 deaths (case fatality rate 38%), including 4 health workers.

The first signs of the outbreak were observed on August 20, in a 34-year-old pregnant woman with symptoms including high fever and vomiting. The WHO has since deployed a Rapid Response Team and is delivering 2 metric tons of supplies to the affected area.

The affected region is difficult to reach, with few air links and requiring at least one day of driving from the provincial capital of Kasai, Tshikapa. The DRC has recorded 15 previous Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified in 1976. One of these outbreaks, between 2018 and 2020, killed nearly 2,300 people.

Ebola is a rare but serious viral hemorrhagic fever that can be fatal in between 25% and 90% of cases, with an average fatality rate of 50%. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, muscle pain, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, decreased liver and kidney function, and internal and external bleeding in some cases. Early diagnosis and treatment of Ebola can drastically improve chances of survival.

The WHO noted that Congo had a stockpile of 2,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine in the capital Kinshasa. The doses will be transported to Kasai and reserved for contacts and frontline health workers. The Ervebo Ebola vaccine is effective against the identified Zaire strain of the virus.

Its natural hosts are thought to be fruit bats, which can carry and spread the virus without being affected by it. Ebola is transmitted by direct contact with bodily fluids or items recently contaminated by bodily fluids and is not an airborne pathogen.

Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, stated that they are working to halt the spread of the virus and protect communities. The Health Ministry reported 28 suspected cases and 15 recorded deaths. The WHO warned that case numbers were likely to increase, as transmission was ongoing.

The most recent Ebola outbreak in Congo hit the northwestern Equateur Province and was brought under control "in under three months thanks to the robust efforts of the health authorities." The WHO is hopeful that similar efforts can be made to contain this latest outbreak.

New Ebola cases reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, claiming lives of 15 individuals