‎WHO declares ebola outbreak in Congo’s Kasai Province

By Chioma Obinagwam
‎
‎On September 4, 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared a new Ebola virus disease outbreak in Kasai Province, marking the country’s latest battle against the deadly virus.
‎
‎Confiance News gathered that the outbreak, centered in the Bulape and Mweka health zones, has reported 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, as confirmed by tests at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa.
‎
‎ The causative strain, Ebola Zaire, is among the deadliest, but an experimental vaccine, Ervebo, offers hope for containment.
‎
‎”The World Health Organization (WHO) has swiftly mobilized resources to support the DRC’s response,”WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the outbreak on X, emphasizing the tragic loss of lives and WHO’s immediate deployment of experts and supplies to protect health workers and treat patients. “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, highlighting the DRC’s expertise in managing viral outbreaks. A national Rapid Response Team, supported by WHO specialists in epidemiology, infection control, and case management, is working to strengthen surveillance and treatment efforts
‎
‎The DRC’s robust experience with Ebola, having faced over a dozen outbreaks since 1976, is a cornerstone of the response. Approximately 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, effective against Ebola Zaire, are being rushed to Kasai to vaccinate frontline workers and contacts.
‎
‎Dr. Janabi, Confiance News learnt, stressed the importance of community engagement and timely case reporting to curb transmission, while Dr. Tedros praised the DRC’s transparency and rapid action. Despite challenges like ongoing transmission and rural logistics, WHO and local teams are leveraging past lessons to aim for swift containment.