Ebola disease in DRC
On 1 December 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared the outbreak of Ebola disease over
On 1 December 2025, The Democratic Republic of the Congo declared the end of an outbreak of Ebola disease (EBOD) in Kasai Province following a 42-day period (two consecutive incubation periods of the virus) without recording any new cases [1].
Since the outbreak was declared on 4 September 2025, a total of 64 cases (53 confirmed and 11 probable), including 45 deaths were reported [1, 2].
The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners provided technical, operational and financial support to the Democratic Republic of the Congo government to contain the outbreak. Surveillance to rapidly identify and respond to any re-emergence is ongoing, including a 90 day period of enhanced surveillance.
The outbreak was the country's 16th since the disease was identified in 1976 [1]. Ebola disease is caused by orthoebolaviruses. There are six species of orthoebolavirus, four of which are known to cause disease in humans [2]. The natural reservoir for the virus is believed to be fruit bats from the Pteropodidae family. Non-human primates are known to have been a source of human infection in some of the previous EBOD outbreaks [3].
Resources
References
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World Health Organization. Democratic Republic of the Congo declares end of 16th Ebola outbreak. 1 December 2025. [Accessed 9 December 2025]
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World Health Organization, Democratic Republic of the Congo declares Ebola virus disease outbreak in Kasai Province. 4 September 2025 [Accessed 9 December 2025]
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UK Health Security Agency. Ebola: overview, history, origins and transmission. Updated 4 September 2025. [Accessed 9 December 2025]
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