Ebola Outbreak Claims 15 Lives in DR Congo

Tue Oct 21 2025 14:57:03 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in at least 15 deaths, including health workers, as officials scramble to contain the spread of the virus. The WHO is mobilizing resources to combat this crisis.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing its 16th outbreak of Ebola, with the recent virus identified in a pregnant woman leading to at least 15 fatalities, including four health workers. The outbreak, centered in the central Kasai province, has raised concerns as health officials confirm 28 suspected cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) is working diligently to control transmission and protect at-risk communities, with 2,000 doses of an effective vaccine available.

At least 15 people have died in a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country's health ministry has said.

The presence of the virus had been confirmed in a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to hospital last month after showing symptoms that included a high fever and repeated vomiting, the ministry added. She died a few hours later from multiple organ failure.

This will be the 16th outbreak of the deadly virus in the vast central African state, which has poor health services and is hit by conflict in the east.

The latest outbreak is in central Kasai province, with 28 suspected cases recorded, according to health officials. They have urged strict adherence to preventive measures, such as frequent handwashing and social distancing in high-risk areas.

Tests identified the Zaire strain of Ebola, a rare but often deadly disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that it is acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities. Four health workers were among the 15 people who died.

WHO officials warned that case numbers are likely to increase as transmission is ongoing, and response teams are actively working to identify infected individuals who need care.

DR Congo has a stockpile of treatments, including 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which is effective against this type of Ebola. The last outbreak in DR Congo occurred three years ago, resulting in six deaths.

Historically, an outbreak from 2018 to 2020 was far deadlier, claiming over 2,000 lives. Ebola is believed to originate from fruit bats, and the virus spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals.

For more information about Ebola, visit the WHO's resources and guidelines on prevention.