The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced a new Ebola outbreak in its southern Kasai province, marking the country’s first resurgence of the virus since 2022. Health officials confirmed the detection in a 34-year-old pregnant woman, Reuters reported.
So far, 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths have been recorded, including four healthcare workers, with most fatalities concentrated in Boulapé and one in Mweka. The Zaire strain has been identified, underscoring the gravity of the situation, Vanguard noted.
This is Congo’s 16th Ebola outbreak on record, with the last occurring three years ago, a timeline highlighted by AP News. The recurrence reflects the country’s ongoing vulnerability to the virus despite years of international and domestic containment efforts.
The World Health Organization has deployed response teams to assist with surveillance, treatment, and infection prevention measures. Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO’s regional director for Africa, stressed that immediate action is critical to preventing further spread, as reported by Al Jazeera.
