DRC - Viral hemorrhagic fever cases, deaths (including health workers) in Bulape, Kasai province - August 20, 2025 - Ebola Zaire confirmed

[sharon sanders]

hat tip friend of FluTrackers


Kasai: 6 deaths already recorded out of 10 suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever in Bulape

• Wednesday, September 3, 2025 - 7:36 PM

The Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Prevention, through the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (COUSP), announces that it has activated alert mode following the detection of several suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever in the Bulape health zone, Kasai province.
In an official information note consulted by Actualité.cd this Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the COUSP reported 10 suspected cases identified, including 6 confirmed deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 60%. According to local civil society, however, this toll could increase in the coming days.
The index case is a 34-year-old pregnant woman, admitted to HGR Bulape on August 20 with suggestive symptoms (sudden fever, multiple hemorrhages, bloody vomiting, marked asthenia). She died on August 25, 2025, in a picture of multiorgan failure.
The same source also reports documented nosocomial transmission, affecting in particular a nurse and a laboratory technician who were caring for the deceased patient.
Évariste Bushebu, civil society actor, underlines:
"Health authorities told us about red diarrhea and signs that could be similar to viral hemorrhagic fever. Contamination is very rapid."
Health authorities state that investigations are continuing, that samples have been sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) for confirmation, and that the assessed risk level is high, with community transmission already occurring. While awaiting the results, the public is urged to strictly adhere to preventive measures: regular handwashing, limiting physical contact, and immediately reporting any suspected cases.
This situation has rekindled concerns in the region, which was already affected by Ebola epidemics in 2007, 2008 and 2011. The deadliest outbreak was in 2007, with more than 260 cases and 187 deaths, according to health sources.

https://actualite.cd/2025/09/03/kasai-6-morts-deja-enregistres-sur-10-cas-suspects-de-fievre-hemorragique-virale-bulape

[sharon sanders]

Please see these other DRC threads:

DRC - Equateur: the population of Bikoro territory alerted to the danger of consuming unidentified animals

DRC- Ituri - Unidentified epidemic affecting goats in Djugu and Mambasa

DRC - North Kivu: Livestock markets suspended due to animal epidemic in Masisi

DRC - Mpox (monkeypox) outbreak 2025

DRC - Cholera outbreak 2025

DRC - Tshopo: Precautionary measure taken after the registration of a suspected case of Ebola in the city of Kisangani

DRC - Measles outbreak 2025

DRC - South Kivu: two suspicious deaths linked to possible food poisoning in Mwenga

DRC - Polio outbreak 2025

DRC - Kongo Central: Malaria, the silent killer, far more deadly than HIV, Covid-19 or measles

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Translation Google

Kasai: Eight deaths with signs of Ebola haemorrhagic fever recorded in Bulape

September 3, 2025

Tshikapa, September 3, 2025 (ACP).- Eight (8) deaths presenting clinical signs typical of an Ebola-type hemorrhagic fever have been recorded since the beginning of September in the Bulape health zone, Mweka territory, in Kasai, in the center of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the report of the crisis committee meeting received by the ACP on Wednesday.

"(...) There are worrying reports of suspected cases of hemorrhagic fever in Bulape, in the Mweka territory, Kasai province. To date, eight (8) deaths have been reported with clinical signs typical of Ebola-type hemorrhagic fever, including high fever, vomiting, and anal, nasal, and oral hemorrhages ," said Ms. Odette Kama, provincial Minister of Health, as quoted in the report of the crisis committee meeting.

Among the victims were also three (3) members of the healthcare staff (two nurses and a laboratory technician), which accentuates the seriousness of the situation.

" It is important to remember that, for now, these are unconfirmed rumors. Only national health authorities, with the support of the WHO, can officially declare an epidemic after samples have been confirmed by experts ," the provincial Minister of Health said.

However, in view of the potential risk and in order to protect communities, she urged everyone to immediately rigorously apply prevention and protection measures, including the strict application of barrier measures (frequent hand washing, wearing masks depending on the context, distancing in risk areas), the provision and systematic use of hydro-alcoholic gels and the immediate reporting to the hierarchy of any suspected case.

In the meantime, the samples collected have been sent to the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa for laboratory confirmation of the epidemic or not.

An investigative mission to Bulape is being prepared by the crisis committee, in order to see how to find an urgent response to this health problem and mobilize resources at all levels, as well as support in medical inputs and other supplies to the health zone (ZS) concerned. ACP/UKB

https://acp.cd/sante/kasai-huit-deces-avec-signes-de-la-fievre-hemorragique-ebola-enregistres-a-bulape/

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Ministère de la Santé RDC
@MinSanteRDC

#PRESSRELEASE

(Image translated by Google)


4:24 AM · Sep 4, 2025

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Image translated by Google



https://www.cosamed.org/blog/detail/...rgentes-prises

[sharon sanders]

I changed the title to reflect the hospitalization date of the index case which is August 20, 2025. This gives us a better idea of how long this situation may have been going on.

[Pathfinder]

From the video:

Ebola Zaire confirmed. The virus sequence is different from the 2007 and 2009 outbreaks.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Institut-National-de-Sant%C3%A9-Publique-RDC-61559707004812/

[Treyfish]

Congo declares new Ebola outbreak, 28 suspected cases

By Reuters
September 4, 202510:12 AM EDTUpdated 13 mins ago




KINSHASA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday declared a new outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus after a case was confirmed in the southern Kasai province, saying there were now 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths.
This will be the Central African country's sixteenth Ebola outbreak, the health ministry said in a statement. …

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/congo-health-ministry-declares-new-ebola-outbreak-2025-09-04/?taid=68b99ba9cfab3d000122fa53&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

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Translation Google

DRC: Ebola epidemic officially declared in Bulape, Kasai, 16 deaths already recorded

Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 3:04 PM

The Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the Bulape health zone in Kasai on Thursday, September 4. Analyses conducted by the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) on samples collected confirmed the presence of the virus. This is the 16th Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

"To date, the provisional report shows 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including 4 health workers. The case fatality rate, estimated at 57%, illustrates the seriousness of the situation. I would like to point out, however, that these figures are provisional, as investigations are continuing and further biological confirmations will clarify the situation," said the Minister of Public Health, Samuel Kamba, at a press conference.

Provincial authorities, with the support of partners, have launched an emergency response. This includes active case searches, contact identification and tracing, the establishment of treatment centers, and community outreach. The population is urged to comply with preventive measures, particularly to avoid contact with patients or deceased persons suspected of having Ebola.

Mweka territory has already experienced Ebola epidemics in the past in 2007, 2008 and 2011. The deadliest outbreak was in 2007 with more than 260 cases and 187 deaths, according to health sources.

Grace Guka and Michel Cyala

https://actualite.cd/2025/09/04/rdc-lepidemie-debola-officiellement-declaree-bulape-au-kasai-au-moins-16-deces-deja

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Democratic Republic of the Congo declares Ebola virus disease outbreak in Kasai Province

04 September 2025

Kinshasa – Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province where 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, have been reported as of 4 September 2025.

The outbreak has affected Bulape and Mweka health zones in Kasai Province where health officials have been carrying out investigations after the cases and the deaths reported presented with symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and haemorrhage. Samples tested on 3 September at the country’s National Institute of Biomedical Research in the capital Kinshasa confirmed the cause of the outbreak as Ebola Zaire caused by Ebola virus disease.

A national Rapid Response Team joined by World Health Organization (WHO) experts in epidemiology, infection prevention and control, laboratory and case management has been deployed to Kasai Province to rapidly strengthen disease surveillance, treatment and infection prevention and control in health facilities. Provincial risk communication experts have also been deployed to reach communities and help them understand how to protect themselves.

Additionally, WHO is delivering two tonnes of supplies including personal protective equipment, mobile laboratory equipment and medical supplies. The area is difficult to reach, taking at least one day of driving from Tshikapa (the provincial capital of Kasai), with few air links.

“We’re acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Banking on the country’s long-standing expertise in controlling viral disease outbreaks, we’re working closely with the health authorities to quickly scale up key response measures to end the outbreak as soon as possible.”

Case numbers are likely to increase as the transmission is ongoing. Response teams and local teams will work to find the people who may be infected and need to receive care, to ensure everyone is protected as quickly as possible.

The country has a stockpile of treatments, as well as 2000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine, effective to protect against this type of Ebola, already prepositioned in Kinshasa that will be quickly moved to Kasai to vaccinate contacts and frontline health workers.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s last outbreak of Ebola virus disease affected the north-western Equateur province in April 2022. It was brought under control in under three months thanks to the robust efforts of the health authorities. In Kasai province, previous outbreaks of Ebola virus disease were reported in 2007 and 2008. In the country overall, there have been 15 outbreaks since the disease was first identified in 1976.

Ebola virus disease is a rare but severe, often fatal illness in humans. It is transmitted to people through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as fruit bats (thought to be the natural hosts). Human-to-human transmission is through direct contact with blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola, objects that have been contaminated with body fluids from a person sick with Ebola or the body of a person who died from Ebola.

https://www.afro.who.int/countries/democratic-republic-of-congo/news/democratic-republic-congo-declares-ebola-virus-disease-outbreak-kasai-province

[sharon sanders]

On now on X....


WHO African Region
@WHOAFRO
·
21s
WHO Africa media briefing: Suspected viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak in Kasai Province, DRC
WHO African Region
@WHOAFRO
WHO Africa media briefing: Suspected viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak in Kasai Province, DRC

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Translation Google

Kasai: Government declares Ebola epidemic in Bulape health zone

Published on Thu, 04/09/2025 - 16:16 | Modified on Thu, 04/09/2025 - 16:17

The Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare, Dr. Roger Kamba, officially declared the 16th Ebola virus disease epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday, September 4. The strain identified is the Zaire strain, and the epidemic is affecting the Bulape health zone in Kasai province.

According to the provisional report, 28 suspected cases have been recorded, including 16 deaths, including 4 health workers, representing a case fatality rate of 57%.

"The statement I am making today is based on the rigor of the facts, scientific clarity and a complete chain of investigation... This is why I am officially announcing, on behalf of the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare, the resurgence of the Ebola virus disease, of the Zaire strain, in the Bulape health zone in the Kasai province," declared Dr. Roger Samuel Kamba.

The Minister announced the activation of the Incident Management System by the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEC), with the deployment of rapid response teams, the strengthening of epidemiological surveillance and the establishment of triage and isolation centres.

"Ebola is a serious disease, but early, free and comprehensive treatment increases the chances of survival," he said.

The minister also called on the population to respect preventive measures:

Report any suspicious cases via the toll-free number 151,
Avoid all contact with sick people or untreated bodies,
Do not handle dead animals,
Maintain strict hygiene,
Reject all forms of stigmatization.

"To hide a sick person is to expose; to declare is to save," insisted Dr. Kamba.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2025/09/04/actualite/sante/kasai-le-gouvernement-declare-une-epidemie-debola-dans-la-zone-de-sante

[sharon sanders]

Please also see:

DRC - Tshopo: Precautionary measure taken after the registration of a suspected case of Ebola in the city of Kisangani - August 21, 2025

Our Africa ebola forums by country link

[sharon sanders]

hat tip@KrutikaKuppalli


The 16th Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Bulape Health Zone, Kasai, Democratic Republic of the Congo: A new spillover event from an unknown reservoir host

Ebolavirus
Sep 4
6h
mbalaplacide
4
6h

Background


The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is currently facing concurrent outbreaks including mpox, cholera and malaria (1-4). The Ministry of Public Health, DRC has declared the 16th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak on 04 September 2025 after PCR confirmation of Ebola virus (EBOV), formely Zaïre ebolavirus, in patient’s specimens from Bulape Heath Zone, in Kasai Province.

The re-emergence of EBOV in remote areas with very limited access is not unprecedent since 15 Ebola outbreaks have previously occurred in the country (5). In late August 2025, the local health authorities in Bulape Heath Zone, Kasai Province, DRC raised an alert about cases presenting with haemorrhagic fever symptoms and associated fatalities among both infected individuals and healthcare workers. Suspecting EVD, a buccal swab (from a fatal case) and five blood specimens were collected from six suspected cases then shipped to the national reference laboratory, Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in Kinshasa, for diagnosis confirmation and whole genome sequencing (WGS).


Methods


On 03 September 2025, six samples were tested at INRB using the point-of-care GeneXpert Ebola assay, the automated BioFire FilmArray System (Global Fever Panel), and real-time PCR with Altona RealStar Filovirus RT-PCR kit. EBOV PCR positive samples were subsequently sequenced on a nanopore sequencing device (Oxford Nanopore Technology).

Briefly, viral RNA was extracted from 140 µL of inactivated specimens using viral RNA extraction kit (QIAGEN) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Reverse transcription was performed with LunaScript RT SuperMix kit (New England Biolabs). Multiplex PCR was performed on cDNA using Q5 Hot Start High-Fidelity 2X master mix (New England Biolabs), and EBOV-specific primer pools, designed for EBOV Mangina variants, were used to amplify the EBOV genome. Library was prepared in triplicate using the rapid sequencing DNA V14 barcoding kit (SQK-RBK114.96; Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), Oxford, UK), following the manufacturer’s instructions. Sequencing library was loaded on a R10.4.1 flow cell and run on a GridION sequencer. Reads were base called with the High accuracy model from Guppy. Subsequently, iVar tool ( GitHub - andersen-lab/ivar: iVar is a computational package that contains functions broadly useful for viral amplicon-based sequencing. ) was used for trimming sequencing adapters, primers, and low-quality bases, and for generating the consensus genome.


Results and Discussion


We were able to generate an accurate consensus genome in less than one hour starting from the library preparation. The newly EBOV genome is 99.97% complete and consists of 18,819 nucleotides. Multiple sequence alignment of 71 complete EBOV genomes, including the newly generated genome, was performed using MAFFT (6). A phylogenetic tree (Figure 1) was constructed using IQ-TREE v2.1.4 (7). The new EBOV genome has a nucleotide similarity of 99.52% to the most closely related genome, Ebola virus/H.sapiens-tc/COD/1976/Yambuku-Mayinga (GenBank accession number NC_002549.1), suggesting that this case represents a new zoonotic spillover event and is not directly linked to the 2007 Luebo or 2008/2009 Mweka EVD outbreaks.



figure15244×2834 389 KB


Authors (key contributors to data collection/molecular testing/data interpretation/whole genome sequencing/bioinformatics analysis/phylogenetic analysis, and manuscript writing):

Adrienne Amuri-Aziza (INRB, Kinshasa, DRC)
Gradi Luakanda-Ndelemo (INRB, Kinshasa, DRC)
Jean-Claude Makangara-Cigolo (INRB, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland)
Prince Akil-Bandali (INRB, Kinshasa, DRC)
Servet Kimbonza (INRB, Kinshasa, DRC)
Fiston Cikaya-Kankolongo (INRB, Kinshasa, DRC)
Princesse Paku-Tshambu (INRB, Kinshasa, DRC)
Elzedek Mabika-Bope (INRB, Kinshasa, DRC)
Emmanuel Lokilo (INRB, Kinshasa, DRC)
André Citenga (INRB, Kinshasa, DRC)
Raphael Lumembe (INRB, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC)
Gabriel Kabamba (INRB, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC)
Christian Ngandu (Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Kinshasa, DRC)
Louis Tshulo (Division Provinciale de la Santé, Kasaï, DRC)
Mathias Mossoko (Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Kinshasa, DRC)
Dieudonné Mwamba (Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Kinshasa, DRC)
Elisabeth Pukuta (INRB, Kinshasa, DRC)
Eddy Kinganda-Lusamaki (INRB, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC; TransVIHMI, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, IRD, Montpellier, France)
Patrick Mukadi (INRB, University of Kinshasa)
Dieudonné Mumba Ngoyi (INRB, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC)
Steve Ahuka-Mundeke (INRB, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC)
Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum (INRB, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC)
Tony Wawina-Bokalanga (INRB, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC; Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium)
Placide Mbala-Kingebeni (INRB, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC; South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, South Africa)


Acknowledgements section


We are grateful to the ARTIC Network ( ARTIC network | ARTIC network - pathogen genomics from sample to response ) and the University of Nebraska for the provision of the primers. The biofire panels and primers were provided by Culmen International under their cooperative Agreement funded by the US CDC. We also acknowledge the Africa Pathogen Genomic Initiative, Agence Française de Dévelopement through the AFROSCREEN project (grant agreement CZZ3209, coordinated by ANRS-MIE Maladies infectieuses émergentes in partnership with Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) and Pasteur Institute) ; the Global Funds; the Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid; the Research Foundation Flanders (“Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek–Vlaanderen”); Institute of Tropical Medicine Structurele Onderzoeksfinanciering (Flemish Government; Science, Technology, and Innovation), and the World Health Organization for their support to genomic surveillance efforts in DRC through equipment acquisition, reagents procurement and logistic support.

Statement on continuing work and analyses prior to publication
This genome is being shared pre-publication. Please note that this data is based on work in progress and should be considered preliminary. Our analyses are ongoing and a publication communicating our findings is in preparation. If you intend to use our data prior to our publication, please contact Prof. Placide Mbala-Kingebeni.

Collaborating institutions and agencies

• Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Culmen International
• Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
• Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
• TransVIHMI, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, IRD, Montpellier, France
• University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
• University of California Los-Angeles (UCLA), Los-Angeles, USA
• Viral Special Pathogens, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
• World Health Organization Country Office, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland

References

1. Vakaniaki EH, Kacita C, Kinganda-Lusamaki E, O’Toole A, Wawina-Bokalanga T, Mukadi-Bamuleka D, et al. Sustained human outbreak of a new MPXV clade I lineage in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nat Med. 2024 Jun 13.
2. Wawina-Bokalanga T, Merritt S, Kinganda-Lusamaki E, Jansen D, Halbrook M, O’Toole A, et al. Epidemiology and phylogenomic characterisation of two distinct mpox outbreaks in Kinshasa, DR Congo, involving a new subclade Ia lineage: a retrospective, observational study. Lancet. 2025 Jul 5;406(10498):63-75.
3. World Health Organization (WHO). WHO response to challenging cholera outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.2025; Available from: WHO response to challenging cholera outbreak in the DRC
4. World Health Organization. Acute respiratory infections complicated by malaria (previously undiagnosed disease) - Democratic Republic of the Congo 2024. Available from: Acute respiratory infections complicated by malaria (previously undiagnosed disease) - DRC.
5. Kinganda-Lusamaki, E., Whitmer, S., Lokilo-Lofiko, E., Amuri-Aziza, A., Muyembe-Mawete, F., Makangara-Cigolo, J. C., Makaya, G., Mbuyi, F., Whitesell, A., Kallay, R., Choi, M., Pratt, C., Mukadi-Bamuleka, D., Kavunga-Membo, H., Matondo-Kuamfumu, M., Mambu-Mbika, F., Ekila-Ifinji, R., Shoemaker, T., Stewart, M., Eng, J., … Mbala-Kingebeni, P. (2024). 2020 Ebola virus disease outbreak in Équateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a retrospective genomic characterisation. The Lancet. Microbe, 5(2), e109–e118. Redirecting
6. Katoh K, Rozewicki J, Yamada KD. MAFFT online service: multiple sequence alignment, interactive sequence choice and visualization. Briefings in Bioinformatics July 2019
7. Minh BQ, Schmidt HA, Chernomor O, Schrempf D, Woodhams MD, von Haeseler A, et al. IQ-TREE 2: New Models and Efficient Methods for Phylogenetic Inference in the Genomic Era. Mol Biol Evol. 2020 May 1;37(5):1530-4.

https://virological.org/t/the-16th-ebola-virus-disease-outbreak-in-bulape-health-zone-kasai-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-a-new-spillover-event-from-an-unknown-reservoir-host/1003

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7:30 PM · Sep 4, 2025
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Translation Google

DRC: New Ebola Outbreak Leaves at Least Sixteen Dead

A new Ebola outbreak has been declared by health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the Ministry of Health, at least sixteen deaths have been reported since the end of August. This new outbreak is affecting Kasai province, in the center of the country.

Published on:04/09/2025 - 21:55
Modified on:05/09/2025 - 02:32

By : RFI

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the first case of Ebola was reported on August 20. It was reported in a pregnant woman who presented to Boulapé General Hospital in Kasai with alarming symptoms: high fever, vomiting, extreme weakness, and hemorrhaging.

On Wednesday, September 3, five samples confirmed the presence of the virus. Since then, twenty-eight other suspected cases have been recorded in the province. The mortality rate is currently estimated at just over 50%. Four healthcare workers at Boulapé General Hospital are among the deceased.

According to health authorities, this new surge of the virus is due to the Zaire strain, against which there is a vaccine. According to the World Health Organization ( WHO ), the DRC currently has a stock of 2,000 doses " pre-positioned in Kinshasa " and which are to be sent to Kasai.

" The number of cases is expected to increase "

In a statement, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said he was acting " with determination to quickly stop the spread of the virus and protect communities, " even though, according to WHO experts, " the number of cases is expected to increase ."

The response is underway, but authorities expect the death toll to rise with the discovery of new cases that may predate the initial hospitalization, as not all patients necessarily go to health centers. The minister also called on the public to report cases to reduce the risk of spread.

Faced with fears of a rapid spread of the virus, the Congolese Minister of Health, Samuel Roger Kamba, nevertheless wanted to be reassuring. " We have the necessary expertise [to deal with it] and we know what to do ," he said before explaining the response protocol put in place by the authorities: " It involves finding the contact details of all the sick people as well as all the people with whom they have been in contact in order to take care of them, in particular by vaccinating them with a specific treatment, the Ebanga treatment. Thanks to this medication that we will administer to them, we hope to contain the epidemic very quickly ."

Response teams, including the WHO, also confirm that the epicenter of the contamination is located in a remote area: to get there, it takes at least a day's drive from Tshikapa, the capital of Kasai province. Air links to the affected region remain very rare.

The sixteenth epidemic recorded in the DRC

As for the origin of this new epidemic, Samuel Roger Kamba believes there is no mystery about it. " The virus we are facing today is different from the virus of 2007 and 2009. It is a resurgence, a contamination from animals to humans by a virus that is not the same ," he explains. This is the sixteenth epidemic recorded in the country.

The Ebola epidemic is transmitted through bodily fluids, with the main symptoms being fever, vomiting, bleeding, and diarrhea. Infected people only become contagious after symptoms appear, following an incubation period of 2 to 21 days.

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20250904-rdc-une-nouvelle-%C3%A9pid%C3%A9mie-d-ebola-fait-au-moins-seize-morts

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WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing – 5 September 2025

5 September 2025
...
Of course, mpox is only one of many health threats in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Yesterday, the government of the DRC declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the central province of Kasai.

So far, 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths have been reported, including four health workers.

WHO already has staff on the ground in Kasai, with more on the way. We’re joining rapid response teams to trace contacts and find cases, we’re collecting and testing samples, and we’re providing technical expertise in surveillance, infection prevention and control, treatment, risk communication and more.

WHO has also delivered personal protective equipment, laboratory equipment, medical supplies and a mobile laboratory.

We had previously prepositioned 2000 doses of Ebola vaccine in Kinshasa, which we are releasing to vaccinate contacts and health workers.

This is the 16^th outbreak of Ebola in the DRC, and the government has rich experience from those previous outbreaks.

I thank the government for its leadership in responding to this outbreak, and for its transparency in rapidly declaring the outbreak and sharing the viral sequence.

To fund the response, WHO has released US$ 500 000 from our Contingency Fund for Emergencies, and we appeal to donors to support the response.

===
https://www.who.int/news-room/speech...september-2025