At least 15 people have died in a new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo’s Kasai province. With 28 suspected cases and confirmation of the Zaire strain, WHO warns transmission is ongoing. Vaccination and aid are being rushed as experts highlight global funding gaps.
The first case of the virus was detected in Kasai province after a 34-year-old pregnant woman showing symptoms including high fever and vomiting was hospitalized last month. She died a few hours later from multiple organ failure.
A pregnant woman admitted to a local hospital on August 20, 2025, marked the first reported case, and tragically 15 people have died so far.
Four health workers, including a nurse and a laboratory technician, are among the 15 deaths so far.
Tests confirmed the Zaire strain of Ebola, which is often severe and has a high fatality rate.
WHO, in a statement, has said that it is “acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities.”
Supplies, including mobile lab equipment and protective gear, are being dispatched to the affected area.
An air bridge might be established to expedite deliveries to Kasai, given its remote location and the long travel time from the provincial capital.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has a stockpile of treatments and 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which is effective against this Ebola strain, and plans to quickly relocate them to Kasai.
The current outbreak coincides with uncertain global support, partly due to reduced US funding for WHO and global health initiatives.
This decline in funding has raised concerns about leadership gaps and potentially weakened global response efforts.
Jeremy Konyndyk of Refugees International noted that the loss of US funding has significantly debilitated WHO’s capacity, increasing risk and uncertainty.
The DRC is fighting multiple health crises, including a significant mpox outbreak with nearly 130,000 suspected cases and 2,000 deaths, while also battling Ebola.
The health system is overburdened, and international support is being sought to strengthen response efforts.