DRC - Rabies outbreak 2026

[Pathfinder]

Kwilu Province
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwilu_Province
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Translation Google

Kikwit: 10 deaths recorded in a resurgence of canine rabies

27.05.2026

The city of Kikwit, in Kwilu province, is facing a resurgence of canine rabies. Since last April, 10 deaths have already been recorded out of 42 confirmed cases, according to local authorities.

The information was provided on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, by Robert Senge, the urban inspector of Fisheries and Livestock. He stated that his department is working in collaboration with the Kwilu Provincial Health Division to combat this disease.

"There are already 10 deaths from this disease out of 42 confirmed cases. The situation is serious. We are working hard to deal with it," he said.

In response to this situation, several dog vaccination sites have been opened in the city to limit the spread of the disease.

Robert Senge calls on owners of guard and hunting dogs to have their animals vaccinated in centers set up for this purpose.

"When a dog is rabid, it can even bite its owner and transmit the disease," he warned.

For her part, the interim mayor of Kikwit, Charlotte Lula, ordered the police, through a statement broadcast on several local radio stations, to shoot all stray dogs.

This resurgence of canine rabies comes 16 years after the 2010 epidemic that caused the death of more than 20 people in the city.

Badylon Kawanda Bakiman
congo-press.com (MCP) / mediacongo.net

https://www.mediacongo.net/article-actualite-164073_kikwit_10_morts_enregistres_dans_une_resurgence_de_la_rage_canine.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kwilu: Canine rabies spreads to the Kipuka sector, four deaths already recorded

06.06.2026

The Kipuka area has just been hit by a canine rabies outbreak, following the city of Kikwit, in Kwilu province. 25 cases have been recorded in one week, including four deaths.

The sector chief, Kiamfu Romain, described the situation as alarming and urged dog owners to vaccinate their animals. He reminded them that rabies vaccines are available and warned that violators would face the penalties stipulated by law.

To curb the spread of the disease, vaccination sites have been set up in the area, while some teams are using a door-to-door strategy. Authorities have also announced the culling of stray dogs.

According to available data, the city of Kikwit has already recorded more than ten deaths out of 58 cases of canine rabies.

Badylon Kawanda
congo-press.com (MCP) / mediacongo.net

https://www.mediacongo.net/article-actualite-164399_kwilu_la_rage_canine_gagne_le_secteur_kipuka_quatre_deces_deja_enregistres.html

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Kikwit: More than 100 people exposed to rabies, 10 deaths recorded since the beginning of 2026

Thursday, June 11, 2026 - 3:28 PM

The Kwilu Provincial Health Division (DPS) is warning of a resurgence of rabies cases in the city of Kikwit. Since the beginning of 2026, more than 100 people have been infected with this viral disease, while 10 deaths have already been recorded.

“My cousin was a nurse. She lived in Kikwit 5. While walking near her neighborhood, a dog scratched her. Two days later, her hand began to swell. Then, she couldn't get up. We took her straight to the general hospital; after the diagnosis, she had rabies and died. She was buried the day before yesterday. Sadly, she leaves behind five children.”

"I have a dog at home. I just sent my child to sell it in order to avoid any problems on the property," testifies Bonette Marielle, a resident of Kikwit.

According to health authorities, the proliferation of stray dogs in several neighborhoods of the city is one of the main causes of this worrying situation. Most of those affected were bitten by dogs suspected of carrying the virus.

Faced with this health threat, the DPS is urging dog owners to vaccinate their animals to limit the spread of the disease. It is also requesting the involvement of local authorities and relevant services to strengthen measures to control stray dogs.

“Rabies is a fatal disease once symptoms appear, but it can be prevented through animal vaccination and prompt medical attention after a bite. We urge anyone bitten by a dog or other suspected animal to seek immediate medical attention at a health facility,” said Dr. Donat Kuma-Kuma, head of the coordination unit at the Provincial Health Division (DPS) of Kwilu.

The DPS also recommends that the public avoid any contact with stray animals and report any dogs exhibiting aggressive or unusual behavior to the relevant authorities.

Rabies is a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bite, scratch, or licking of a wound by an infected animal. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it causes tens of thousands of deaths worldwide each year, primarily in Africa and Asia.

Yvonne Kapinga, in Kikwit

https://actualite.cd/index.php/2026/06/11/kikwit-plus-de-100-personnes-exposees-la-rage-10-deces-enregistres-depuis-le-debut-de

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Kikwit: The town hall authorizes the culling of stray dogs to combat canine rabies.

19.06.2026

Urban authorities in Kikwit, Kwilu province, have authorized police to shoot stray dogs in order to curb the spread of canine rabies, a disease that has already caused the death of more than ten people in the city since April.

The announcement was made by the interim mayor, Charlotte Lula, in a message broadcast on Radio Tomisa. According to her, this measure aims to put an end to the repeated attacks by stray dogs on residents.

This decision comes in particular after the death of two children bitten by a stray dog in the commune of Kazamba a few days ago.

Furthermore, the city authority has called on dog owners to vaccinate their animals in order to prevent further cases of canine rabies.

Health and security authorities are continuing their efforts to contain this disease, which continues to worry the population of Kikwit.

Badylon Kawanda Bakiman
congo-press.com (MCP) / mediacongo.net

https://www.mediacongo.net/article-actualite-164833_kikwit_la_mairie_autorise_l_abattage_des_chiens_errants_pour_lutter_contre_la_rage_canine.html

[Pathfinder]

Sankuru
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankuru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Translation Google

Sankuru: More than 30 deaths in Lusambo, government raises the alarm over a canine rabies epidemic

July 11, 2026
Le Potentiel

The health situation is becoming alarming in the Lusambo territory of Sankuru province, where a canine rabies outbreak has already claimed the lives of more than thirty people. This alert was brought to the government's attention during the 94th meeting of the Council of Ministers held in Kinshasa, highlighting the urgent need for a rapid response to contain the spread of this deadly disease.

According to the report presented by government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, the outbreak of canine rabies in Lusambo requires immediate intervention from health and veterinary authorities. He emphasized that this epidemic poses a major threat to local populations, especially since it has already resulted in a significant death toll. In response to this situation, the government intends to strengthen prevention and control measures to avoid further loss of life.

Authorities reiterate that certain contagious animal diseases pose a threat not only to livestock but also to public health and the local economy. In this context, the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock stressed the need to launch the second phase of the epizootic disease vaccination campaign without delay and to ensure the continuity of national animal vaccination programs. The objective is to protect remaining livestock, limit the risk of transmission to humans, and safeguard the livelihoods of rural populations.

Rabies is a particularly dangerous viral infection that is usually transmitted to humans through the bite or contact with the saliva of infected animals, especially dogs. Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. Despite progress made in combating this disease, it remains responsible for tens of thousands of deaths each year worldwide, primarily in Africa and Asia, where dogs remain the main vector of transmission.

Given the scale of the threat in Lusambo, health authorities are urged to intensify awareness campaigns, animal vaccinations, and the rapid treatment of exposed individuals. The government hopes this will curb the spread of the disease and prevent the health crisis from escalating further in Sankuru province.

Fulgence Mavula

https://lepotentiel.cd/2026/07/11/sankuru-plus-de-30-morts-a-lusambo-le-gouvernement-sonne-lalerte-face-a-une-epidemie-de-rage-canine/