DRC declares end to the 16th Ebola outbreak after 42 days without new cases

DRC—Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have officially declared the end of the country’s latest Ebola outbreak after 42 days passed without any new cases and the last confirmed patient recovered.

Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC), described the achievement as a result of exceptional determination and exemplary coordination.

He praised the DRC Government, Health Minister Dr Roger Kamba’s leadership, and the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) for their efforts.

Dr Kaseya also recognized the support provided by technical and financial partners, field teams, and local communities, whose courage continues to inspire the continent.

The outbreak, which marked the 16th recorded in the DRC, centered in Kasai Province and began on 4 September 2025.

 A 34-year-old pregnant woman who presented with high fever and repeated vomiting became the index case.

Laboratory testing confirmed the Zaire strain of Ebola, and at the time of the declaration, authorities reported 15 deaths and 28 suspected cases across Bulape and Mweka health zones, including four healthcare workers.

Throughout the outbreak, health officials documented 53 confirmed cases, 11 probable cases, and 34 deaths among confirmed patients.

According to INSP Head Dieudonne Mwamba Kazadi, the likely total death toll reached 45.

All confirmed cases originated in the Bulape Health Zone, and health workers discharged the last active case from a treatment center on 19 October 2025, triggering the 42-day countdown period.

Intensive surveillance, community engagement, extensive vaccination campaigns, and preparedness measures have prevented any new cases from emerging since that date.

The Ministry of Health, working alongside Africa CDC and partners, continues to monitor the situation while encouraging communities to remain alert closely.

Vaccination efforts played a crucial role in containing the outbreak. Health teams deployed over 48,000 vaccines and administered them to more than 44,400 people, including frontline health workers and individuals who had contact with infected persons.

Additionally, the use of Ibanga (mAb114), a monoclonal antibody therapy, demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in treating confirmed cases.

Clinical evidence indicates that Ibanga substantially reduces mortality rates when administered early, establishing its importance in Ebola treatment protocols.

Dr Kaseya stressed the importance of learning from every outbreak, noting that managing an epidemic extends beyond its official end.

He explained that the most decisive work begins when the outbreak concludes, requiring rigorous documentation of what worked, what failed, and what needs improvement.

These analyses strengthen alert systems, reinforce laboratory capacity, optimize coordination, mobilize communities, and guide risk communication strategies while revealing the true impact on families, economies, and social cohesion.

Africa CDC will support this critical work through a USD1 million allocation that enables the Director of its Science and Innovation Division to launch comprehensive post-epidemic studies next week.

The research will proceed in collaboration with the DRC’s Ministry of Health, INSP, the World Health Organization, and other partners.