Kinshasa, DRC — The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has confirmed its first Ebola outbreak in three years, with at least 48 reported cases and 31 deaths in Kasai Province, health authorities said.
The outbreak, declared in Bulape and Mweka health zones, has prompted urgent response measures. Over 900 contacts of infected individuals are being monitored, while a treatment center has been established in Bulape. Sixteen patients are currently hospitalized, with two already discharged after recovery.
Health teams, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, have deployed over 14 tonnes of medical supplies to contain the outbreak. Vaccination efforts have begun, targeting frontline health workers and close contacts, using the Ervebo vaccine.
Authorities warned that the remote and hard-to-reach terrain in Kasai Province poses challenges for rapid response and vaccine distribution. The source of the outbreak is still under investigation, though early analysis suggests a new zoonotic spillover rather than a resurgence of past cases.
This marks the DRC’s first Ebola resurgence since 2022, highlighting the continued threat of the deadly virus in Central Africa.