The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has declared a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province, with 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths—including four health workers—recorded as of September 4, 2025.

The World Health Organization (WHO), in a statement on Thursday, confirmed that the outbreak has affected Bulape and Mweka health zones, where patients have shown symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and haemorrhage.

Laboratory tests conducted on September 3 at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa identified the Ebola Zaire strain, the deadliest form of the virus, as the cause of the outbreak.

A national Rapid Response Team, supported by WHO experts in epidemiology, infection prevention, laboratory services, and case management, has been deployed to Kasai. Risk communication specialists are also engaging with communities to promote protective measures.

WHO has delivered two tonnes of medical supplies—including personal protective equipment and mobile lab kits—to support the emergency response. However, officials warned that the affected areas are remote and hard to reach, requiring long road travel from the provincial capital Tshikapa and limited air access.

Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said authorities are racing against time:

“We’re acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities. Building on the country’s long-standing expertise in controlling outbreaks, we’re scaling up key measures to end the outbreak as quickly as possible.”

Health experts cautioned that case numbers are expected to rise as transmission continues. Teams are actively tracing contacts and ensuring that suspected cases receive immediate care.

The DRC will deploy 2,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine, already pre-positioned in Kinshasa, to Kasai. These vaccines will be prioritized for frontline health workers and high-risk contacts.

Kasai Province has experienced Ebola outbreaks before, notably in 2007 and 2008. Nationally, the DRC has faced 15 outbreaks since the virus was first discovered in the country in 1976. The most recent occurred in Equateur Province in April 2022 and was contained within three months.

Ebola virus disease is a rare but often fatal illness in humans, spread through direct contact with infected animals or bodily fluids of infected individuals. WHO stressed that swift, coordinated action will be critical to prevent another major Ebola crisis in Central Africa.