The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing yet another Ebola outbreak, with health officials confirming 16 deaths in Kasai Province. The Ministry of Health announced that the resurgence of the deadly virus has already left a trail of grief and anxiety, as authorities race to prevent its spread to other regions.
Health Minister Dr. Roger Kamba confirmed the outbreak on Thursday, September 4, following tests conducted by the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB).
“As of today, provincial reports indicate 28 suspected cases, with 16 deaths, including four health workers. The fatality rate stands at 57%, which shows the seriousness of this outbreak,” he said.
Among the confirmed cases was a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to hospital last month with high fever and vomiting. She died hours later from multiple organ failure.
Officials revealed that the Zaire strain of Ebola was identified, the most common and one of the deadliest strains of the virus.
This is the 16th Ebola outbreak recorded in the DRC since the disease was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River, which gave the virus its name. The disease is spread through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids of infected persons and animals, with fruit bats believed to be its natural hosts.
Wild primates such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and monkeys can also carry the virus, which continues to pose a recurring threat in Central Africa.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded alarm bells, warning that infections could increase in the coming days. “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.”
Vaccines and preparedness efforts
Despite the grim toll, officials say there is reason for cautious optimism. The DRC maintains a stockpile of treatments, including 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, proven effective against the Zaire strain.
Medical teams supported by WHO are already on the ground in Kasai, focusing on contact tracing, treatment, and raising awareness among local communities.
Authorities have also urged strict adherence to preventive measures such as frequent handwashing, avoiding contact with suspected cases, and following safe burial practices.
Health experts emphasize that early detection and rapid treatment significantly improve survival rates, even for a disease with a fatality rate ranging between 50% and 90%.
This outbreak comes three years after the last flare-up of Ebola in Equateur Province, which killed six people in 2022. The most devastating epidemic occurred between 2018 and 2020 in eastern DRC, claiming more than 2,000 lives amid insecurity that hampered response efforts.
Today, the challenge is not only to stop the outbreak but also to reassure communities weary of repeated health emergencies. For a nation that has battled the disease time and again, the immediate task is rapid response, strict prevention, and community resilience.
