The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially declared the end of its latest Ebola outbreak after 42 days with no new reported cases. Health Minister Roger Kamba reported that the country’s 16th Ebola outbreak resulted in 53 confirmed cases, 45 deaths and 11 probable cases. He credited the vaccination campaign—over 47,500 people were immunised—and praised frontline workers for helping to contain the virus.
The outbreak was first declared on 4 September in the Bulape area of Kasai province, marking the region’s first Ebola episode since 2008. Health workers and the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborated to establish a new treatment facility and coordinate vaccination efforts. Early challenges included limited access to the vaccine and scarce funding, but these obstacles were eventually overcome, leading to successful containment.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi commended national authorities, frontline health workers, partners and communities for their swift, unified response, calling the three‑month control and termination of the outbreak a “remarkable achievement.” This response highlights the progress made in combating infectious diseases in the country.
Although Ebola is now under control, the DRC continues to face other health threats such as cholera and mpox. The government and health organisations must remain vigilant to prevent and respond to these diseases. The WHO and local authorities will commence a 90‑day period of enhanced disease surveillance to quickly identify and contain any new cases.
The successful containment of Ebola underscores the importance of coordinated action and effective surveillance in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. As the country moves forward, continued international support and collaboration with local health authorities will be essential to address ongoing health challenges and strengthen the overall health system.
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