Ebola Outbreak Hits Kasai, Congo: 15 Dead, Rapid Response Launched

Kasai, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – September 4, 2025:

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have confirmed an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province. This announcement comes after the detection of 28 suspected Ebola cases and 15 deaths, including four healthcare workers who lost their lives while treating patients. The outbreak has raised serious concerns due to the virus’s high fatality rate and its ability to spread quickly among communities.

Rapid Response Teams Deployed

To address the outbreak swiftly, the national Rapid Response Team, alongside experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), has been dispatched to Kasai Province. The WHO team includes specialists in epidemiology, infection prevention, laboratory analysis, and case management. Their mission is to strengthen the local health system’s ability to detect, isolate, and treat Ebola cases while preventing the virus from spreading further.

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Provincial risk communication experts have also been sent to the affected areas. These experts are working directly with communities to provide clear and practical guidance on how to protect themselves from the virus, reduce panic, and encourage early reporting of symptoms.

Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said: “We are acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities. Using the country’s long experience in controlling viral disease outbreaks, we are supporting the health authorities to quickly scale up the response to stop this outbreak as soon as possible.”

Supplies and Equipment for Ebola Response

In addition to personnel, WHO is delivering two tonnes of critical supplies to Kasai Province. These supplies include:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): To safeguard healthcare workers and reduce the risk of infection.

• Mobile Laboratory Equipment: To test suspected cases quickly and provide accurate diagnosis.

• Medical Supplies: To treat patients, including intravenous fluids, medications, and other essential items.

The presence of these resources is essential for controlling the outbreak, as early detection and proper treatment can significantly reduce the death rate.

Understanding Ebola Virus Disease

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a serious and often deadly illness caused by the Ebola virus. The virus spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people or animals. Symptoms of Ebola include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, and unexplained bleeding.

Because Ebola can spread quickly in communities and healthcare settings, timely action is vital. People who develop symptoms need immediate medical attention, and close contacts may require vaccination to prevent further transmission.

Vaccination Efforts

The Democratic Republic of Congo already has a stockpile of treatments and 2,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine in its capital, Kinshasa. The Ervebo vaccine is highly effective against this type of Ebola virus. The health authorities are preparing to move the vaccine quickly to Kasai Province.

Vaccination will focus on:

• Frontline health workers who are at high risk due to exposure to patients.

• Contacts of confirmed Ebola cases to prevent further spread in the community.

The vaccination campaign is a key part of the strategy to contain the outbreak rapidly and prevent it from expanding to other regions.

Challenges Ahead

Health officials warn that case numbers are likely to rise in the coming days because Ebola can spread before people show symptoms. Rapid identification of cases and immediate isolation are essential to reduce transmission.

The teams working in Kasai Province will focus on:

• Tracing contacts: Finding everyone who may have come into contact with infected patients.

• Testing and treatment: Ensuring suspected cases are quickly tested and treated.

• Community education: Teaching people how to safely handle suspected cases, practice hygiene, and seek care early.

Dr. Janabi emphasized the importance of community cooperation, stating that stopping Ebola requires both medical expertise and public awareness. Communities that follow safety guidelines and report cases promptly can help stop the virus from spreading further.

Protecting Health Workers

The deaths of four health workers highlight the dangers faced by medical staff during Ebola outbreaks. Protecting healthcare workers is critical because they are at the frontline of treatment and prevention. Measures include:

• Proper use of PPE (gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection)

• Safe handling of patients and biological samples

• Training in infection prevention and control

The deployment of WHO experts aims to ensure that all local health workers have the training and equipment necessary to work safely and reduce the risk of infection.

Global Support and Cooperation

The DRC’s government is working closely with international partners, including WHO, to contain the outbreak. International support is vital for:

• Supplying emergency equipment and vaccines

• Providing technical guidance to local health authorities

• Supporting logistics and operations in remote and high-risk areas

Past experiences in the DRC have shown that swift and coordinated action can successfully stop Ebola outbreaks. Experts are optimistic that the current outbreak can be controlled quickly with the right measures.

What People Can Do

Communities in Kasai Province are advised to:

• Report any suspected Ebola symptoms immediately to health authorities.

• Avoid direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals.

• Follow hygiene and safety instructions from health workers.

• Participate in vaccination campaigns when offered.

These simple measures, combined with professional medical care, can save lives and prevent the virus from spreading.

The Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province is a serious public health challenge, but the swift response from the DRC government and WHO provides hope that the situation can be controlled. With vaccinations, medical supplies, trained health workers, and community cooperation, it is possible to contain the virus and prevent a larger crisis.

The coming days will be critical in tracking cases, treating patients, and protecting communities. Health officials urge everyone to remain vigilant, follow public health guidance, and support the efforts to end the outbreak as quickly as possible.

This outbreak serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness, rapid response, and community involvement in managing deadly diseases like Ebola.