Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in central Kasai province, which has claimed 15 lives since late August, the country’s health minister announced on Thursday, September 4.
Samuel Roger Kamba told reporters in Kinshasa that the outbreak, the 16th in the DRC, was first identified on August 20 in a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to hospital. Since then, 28 suspected cases have been recorded.
The last Ebola outbreak in the DRC occurred three years ago, resulting in six deaths. The deadliest outbreak, between 2018 and 2020, killed nearly 2,300 people. Ebola, first identified in 1976 and believed to have originated from bats, is a viral disease spread through direct contact with bodily fluids, often causing severe bleeding and organ failure.
Authorities have identified the current outbreak as caused by the Zaire strain, for which a vaccine exists. Kamba noted that while the vaccine is available, logistical challenges in the country could complicate its deployment.
The DRC, four times the size of France, faces ongoing challenges due to poor infrastructure and limited communication networks, which could hamper efforts to contain the virus.