Summary. Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have declared an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in Kasaï Province, with 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths (including 4 healthcare workers) reported as of September 4, 2025. The affected health zones are Bulape and Mweka. Laboratory confirmation was made on September 3 at the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa; the identified strain is Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV).
Where
- Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
- Province: Kasaï (south)
- Health zones: Bulape and Mweka
Epidemiological situation (as of 04-09-2025)
- 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths (4 among healthcare workers)
- Reported symptoms: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and hemorrhage
- Lab confirmation: INRB (Kinshasa), September 3; Zaire ebolavirus
- Expected trend: case numbers may rise while transmission continues
Response underway
- National rapid response team deployed with WHO support (epidemiology, IPC, laboratory, case management)
- Logistics: delivery of 2 tons of supplies (PPE, mobile lab, medical equipment). Hard-to-reach area: at least one day by road from Tshikapa; limited air links
- Ring vaccination: 2,000 doses of Ervebo pre-positioned in Kinshasa for contacts and frontline HCWs
- Continental support: Africa CDC confirming the declaration (Sept 4) and deploying experts for surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory, and IPC
Risk for travellers
- Very low for tourists and business travellers outside affected areas and without exposure to healthcare settings or traditional funerals
- High for healthcare workers and contacts of cases in areas with active transmission
Recommendations for travellers
- Avoid travel to Bulape and Mweka while investigations and response are ongoing
- Do not participate in funeral rites involving body contact; avoid bushmeat
- Strict hand hygiene; avoid contact with bodily fluids and potentially contaminated objects
- If fever or compatible symptoms occur within 21 days after visiting the area: self-isolate and seek medical care immediately, disclosing travel history
Recommendations for healthcare professionals (IVC, primary care, hospital)
- Triage and report immediately any compatible case with recent travel/stay in Kasaï (Bulape/Mweka) during Aug–Sep 2025
- Standard + contact + droplet precautions with eye protection; for aerosol-generating procedures, use FFP2/FFP3 and reinforced IPC measures
- Isolate suspected cases; ensure safe handling of fluids and waste
- Coordinate with public health for contact tracing and assessment of ring vaccination (Ervebo) when indicated
Context
- Previous DRC Ebola outbreak: Équateur, April 2022, contained in <3 months
- Kasaï recorded outbreaks in 2007 and 2008
- The DRC has seen 15 outbreaks since 1976
