16th Ebola Outbreak Ends In Kasai Province, Democratic Republic Of The Congo

End of the 16th Ebola outbreak

The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has officially declared the end of the 16th Ebola virus disease outbreak in Kasai Province after a 42‑day period without new cases since the last patient was discharged on 19 October 2025. This announcement follows international recommendations that an outbreak is considered over after two full incubation periods with no additional infections.

Location and scale

The outbreak was centred in Bulape Health Zone, a remote rural area of Kasai Province with limited road and telecommunication infrastructure, and spread to several neighbouring communities. In total, health authorities documented 64 Ebola virus disease cases, including 53 laboratory‑confirmed and 11 probable infections, with 45 deaths attributed to the outbreak.

Response measures

National health teams, supported by the World Health Organization and partner organizations, implemented a rapid response that combined vaccination, case management, and community‑based interventions. Key measures included use of vaccines from a global emergency stockpile, active surveillance, contact tracing, isolation of suspected cases, and clinical care in specialized treatment centres.

Statements from officials

The DRC Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare, Dr Samuel Roger Kamba, announced that scientific and operational indicators confirm that chains of transmission have been interrupted and declared the 16th Ebola outbreak officially over. International public health leaders highlighted the speed of the response and emphasized that coordinated efforts by national authorities, frontline workers, and communities made it possible to stop the outbreak within approximately three months.

Next steps and surveillance

With the acute phase concluded, health authorities are moving from Ebola‑specific activities to broader integrated disease surveillance to quickly detect any future public health threats. The country has entered a 90‑day period of heightened monitoring, and survivor support programmes are in place to provide ongoing medical and psychosocial care to people who recovered from Ebola.

“Controlling and ending this Ebola outbreak in three months is a remarkable achievement, showing that rapid, coordinated action can stop Ebola even in hard‑to‑reach areas.”

Author’s summary

Swift national and international action, including targeted vaccination and intensive surveillance, helped the DRC halt its 16th Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province and move into a phase of reinforced monitoring and survivor care.

Vax-Before-Travel — 2025-12-01