Congo declares Ebola outbreak after 15 deaths in Kasai region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed an Ebola outbreak in the south-central Kasai region after 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths. The World Health Organization said samples tested in Kinshasa confirmed the Zaire strain of the virus.
The outbreak, affecting Bulape and Mweka health zones, saw patients with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and hemorrhage.
“A national rapid response team joined by WHO experts has been deployed to strengthen surveillance, treatment, and infection control,” the statement said.
Ebola is highly contagious once symptoms appear, causing severe inflammation and organ damage. Congo’s last outbreak occurred in Equateur province in 2022. The deadliest outbreak killed over 11,000 people in West Africa between 2014 and 2016.