Kinshasa : The World Health Organization (WHO) is intensifying support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after the country declared a new Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province. WHO teams are working to halt the spread of the highly contagious hemorrhagic virus and protect frontline health workers.
Within 48 hours of the outbreak declaration on September 4, WHO airlifted 12 tonnes of supplies, including personal protective equipment, patient isolation kits, and water, sanitation, and hygiene materials. Officials are sending additional shipments to strengthen field operations.
Mohamed Janabi, WHO regional director for Africa, said, “The affected localities are hard to reach. We are working around the clock to roll out response measures, control the outbreak effectively, and save lives.”
On Sunday, frontline responders in Kinshasa received Ebola vaccinations ahead of deployment, supported by WHO and partner organizations.
WHO is also working with 10 neighbouring countries to conduct readiness assessments and implement contingency plans. In Tanzania, authorities are enhancing disease surveillance near the DRC border, while in Angola, officials are boosting preparedness in Lunda Norte Province, which borders Kasai.
This outbreak marks the 16th Ebola occurrence in the DRC since 1976. WHO noted that the resurgence coincides with multiple health emergencies, including mpox, cholera, and measles, and assessed the public health risk as high nationally, moderate regionally, and low globally.
The epicenter lies near Tshikapa, the provincial capital, about 100–200 km from the Angolan border. While the outbreak currently affects a remote rural district, frequent population movement between Bulape and Tshikapa increases the risk of wider spread.
Epidemiologists are investigating transmission chains and the infection source, as the onset date of the first case remains unclear and undetected cases may exist. Uganda has placed its border areas on high alert and is monitoring the situation closely to prevent virus importation.
The DRC last declared an Ebola outbreak over in September 2022 in North Kivu, while Kasai Province previously experienced Ebola in 2007 and 2008. Ebola was first identified in 1976 in simultaneous outbreaks in South Sudan and DRC near the Ebola River.
Ebola is a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever causing fever, vomiting, diarrhea, malaise, and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding, requiring urgent medical intervention and coordinated public health measures.
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