The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially declared its 16th outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), following confirmed cases in Kasai Province, health officials announced.
The index case is a 34-year-old pregnant woman admitted to hospital last month with high fever and repeated vomiting. So far, 15 deaths and 28 suspected cases have been recorded across Bulape and Mweka health zones in Kasai Province. Alarmingly, four of these cases involve healthcare workers. Laboratory results confirm the Zaire strain of Ebola virus as the cause.
This marks the first Ebola outbreak in Kasai since 2008, though the country last battled the disease in Equateur Province in 2022.
In response, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has moved swiftly to support the Congolese Ministry of Health. Africa CDC Director General, Dr Jean Kaseya, travelled to the DRC immediately after the declaration to meet with the Health Minister and assess response strategies.
“Africa CDC stands firmly with the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. We are coordinating an urgent response and taking strong measures to bring this outbreak under control — protecting communities and supporting the health workers on the frontlines,” said Dr Kaseya.
Africa CDC has deployed experts to reinforce surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, data management, and infection prevention measures in the affected zones.
Understanding Ebola
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe, often deadly, viral haemorrhagic fever that affects both humans and non-human primates. It is transmitted either from infected wild animals — such as fruit bats, porcupines, and primates — or through human-to-human contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated surfaces.
Common symptoms include:
- Fever and fatigue
- Muscle pain and headaches
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Unexplained bleeding or bruising
The disease carries an average fatality rate of about 50%, though outcomes improve with early detection and treatment.
Africa CDC’s Commitment
Africa CDC has reiterated its commitment to support the DRC in controlling this outbreak. The organization is working with local and international partners to:
- Strengthen and digitalize surveillance systems
- Improve case detection and contact tracing
- Enhance infection prevention and control, including protecting healthcare workers
- Facilitate vaccination where needed
With swift response measures underway, officials are hopeful that the outbreak will be contained quickly to prevent wider spread.
