New Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo, 15 Deaths Confirmed

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has declared a new Ebola outbreak in its southern Kasai province, marking the country’s 16th such public health emergency since the virus was first identified in 1976. The announcement follows a preliminary report of 15 deaths among 28 suspected cases, including four healthcare workers.

The DRC’s Minister of Health, Samuel-Roger Kamba, officially announced the outbreak on Thursday. The outbreak has been linked to a 34-year-old pregnant woman in the Bulape health zone, who died in late August after presenting with symptoms of fever and hemorrhage. Subsequent laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus, which has a provisional case fatality rate of 53.6%.

In a rapid, coordinated effort, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have deployed experts to the remote Kasai province. The WHO has committed to strengthening disease surveillance, contact tracing, and infection control in local health facilities. In addition, the agency is delivering two tons of crucial supplies, including personal protective equipment and mobile laboratory equipment, and is preparing to deploy a stockpile of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine, which is effective against the Zaire strain.

The affected region, which has not seen an Ebola outbreak since 2008, poses a unique challenge for health officials. The area is isolated, with very few air links, making the transport of personnel and supplies difficult, especially during the rainy season. However, the WHO’s regional director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, expressed confidence in the DRC’s long-standing expertise in controlling viral disease outbreaks.

This latest outbreak comes as the DRC is already grappling with concurrent outbreaks of other diseases, including mpox and cholera. Public health authorities are working to ensure a swift and effective response to contain the spread of the virus and protect communities.