KINSHASA, DR Congo – At least 15 people, including four health workers, have died following a new outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Ministry of Health confirmed on Thursday.
Authorities said the outbreak, the country’s 16th since 1976, was detected in central Kasai province, with 28 suspected cases already under investigation. The index case was a 34-year-old pregnant woman admitted to hospital last month with a high fever and repeated vomiting. She died hours later of multiple organ failure.
Tests confirmed the Zaire strain of Ebola, one of the deadliest variants of the virus. Officials urged strict adherence to preventive measures, including handwashing, mask use, and social distancing in high-risk areas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that infections may rise as transmission is ongoing.
“Case numbers are likely to increase as transmission is ongoing. Response teams are tracing contacts and ensuring those infected receive care as quickly as possible,” WHO said.
The Ministry said DR Congo has a stockpile of treatments, including 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which is effective against the Zaire strain.
The last outbreak in DR Congo occurred three years ago, killing six people, while the 2018–2020 outbreak claimed more than 2,000 lives.
Ebola, thought to originate in fruit bats, spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, including blood, vomit, or faeces.
About the Author
