Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have declared a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province, where 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths—including four health workers—have been recorded as of September 4.

The outbreak has so far affected Bulape and Mweka health zones in Kasai, with patients presenting with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and haemorrhage. On September 3, laboratory testing at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa confirmed the cause as Ebola Zaire, the most lethal form of the virus.

A national Rapid Response Team, reinforced by World Health Organization (WHO) experts in epidemiology, infection prevention, laboratory diagnostics, and case management, has been deployed to the province. Health workers are intensifying surveillance, infection control, and treatment efforts, while provincial communication experts are engaging communities on prevention measures.

WHO has already delivered two tonnes of supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE), mobile laboratory kits, and medical materials. Access remains a challenge, as Kasai’s affected zones are at least a day’s drive from Tshikapa, the provincial capital, with limited air connections.

“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 health authorities to scale up key measures and end the outbreak as soon as possible.”

Authorities have confirmed that the country has a stockpile of Ebola treatments as well as 2,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine, which is effective against this strain. The vaccines are prepositioned in Kinshasa and will be deployed swiftly to Kasai for frontline health workers and contacts of confirmed cases.

Case numbers are expected to rise in the coming days as transmission continues, but response teams are working to trace and isolate contacts quickly to limit spread.

This is the 16th Ebola outbreak in the DRC since the virus was first discovered in 1976. The most recent outbreak occurred in Equateur Province in April 2022, lasting under three months before being successfully contained. Kasai Province previously reported Ebola outbreaks in 2007 and 2008.

Ebola virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals—particularly fruit bats, believed to be the natural hosts—and between humans via bodily fluids of infected or deceased individuals.

Health authorities are urging vigilance and cooperation from communities to help contain the outbreak. (ILKHA)