New outbreak hits Kasai Province
Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province, with 15 deaths reported since late August. The country’s health minister, Samuel Roger Kamba, announced the development on Thursday from Kinshasa.
So far, 28 suspected cases have been recorded. The first involved a 34-year-old pregnant woman admitted to hospital on August 20.
DRC faces its 16th Ebola outbreak
This is the 16th Ebola outbreak in the DRC since the virus was first identified in 1976. The last outbreak, in 2021, killed six people. With a population of over 100 million and limited infrastructure, the DRC faces steep challenges in containing fast-moving outbreaks like this one.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sent in a team of experts to support the Congolese health response.
Vaccines are available—but deployment is tough
The virus has been identified as the Zaire strain—the deadliest and most common type of Ebola—but fortunately, a vaccine exists. The DRC has 2,000 doses in Kinshasa ready to be shipped to Kasai.
“Fortunately, we have a vaccine for this Zaire strain, but to deploy it we need to ensure the logistics,” said Minister Kamba.
WHO: Expect more cases
The WHO says case numbers are expected to rise in the coming days. “We’re acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities,” said Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
What to know about Ebola
Ebola is a deadly virus that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals. It causes severe internal bleeding, organ failure, and often death. Six strains of the virus exist; the Zaire strain is considered the most dangerous.
The deadliest outbreak in the DRC to date occurred between 2018 and 2020, killing nearly 2,300 people.
