By Ollus Ndomu
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in Kasai province, marking the 16th occurrence of the deadly virus in the country since 1976. Health officials reported 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers.
The outbreak began with a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to a hospital in Bulapé health zone on August 20. She presented with high fever and repeated vomiting before dying of multiple organ failure five days later. Laboratory tests confirmed she had contracted the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus.
Additional suspected cases and deaths have been reported in Mweka health zone. Among the fatalities are nurses and laboratory staff. Symptoms in patients include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and severe bleeding.
The Ministry of Public Health declared the outbreak on September 4 and immediately dispatched a Rapid Response Team. The World Health Organization has joined the effort, providing experts to strengthen surveillance, infection control, and laboratory testing.
To support local facilities, WHO has delivered protective gear, mobile laboratories, and essential medicines to the province. Two thousand doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine have also been readied, along with therapeutic treatments for confirmed cases.
The situation remains fragile. The Kasai region is remote with poor infrastructure, making containment efforts more difficult. Authorities fear the virus could spread quickly if surveillance and response measures are not reinforced.
Kasai province previously faced Ebola outbreaks in 2007 and 2008. The most recent outbreak in Congo occurred in Equateur province in 2022. Experts hope lessons learned from those crises will help in the current response.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, and health workers are at high risk during the early stages of outbreaks. Officials say strict infection-prevention measures are being implemented, though shortages of trained personnel pose an obstacle.
Public health leaders warn that unchecked spread could further strain Congo’s fragile health system, already burdened by conflict and recurring disease outbreaks.
WHO’s regional office said it is “acting with determination to halt the virus swiftly and protect communities,” while urging continuous vigilance and coordination among local, national, and international actors.
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