WHO delivers emergency supplies as new Ebola outbreak hits DR Congo’s Kasai Province
Last week, DRC authorities reported that at least 15 people had died in Kasai following the outbreak of Ebola, a highly contagious haemorrhagic fever that often causes both internal and external bleeding.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has dispatched emergency medical supplies from its Nairobi logistics hub to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after the confirmation of a new Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province.
Last week, DRC authorities reported that at least 15 people had died in Kasai following the outbreak of Ebola, a highly contagious haemorrhagic fever that often causes both internal and external bleeding.
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Health officials have so far identified 28 suspected cases, including four health workers who died while treating patients. The outbreak has spread to the Bulape and Mweka health zones, where patients have shown symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and bleeding.
According to the WHO, this marks the country’s 16th Ebola outbreak since the virus was first recorded in 1976. It is the first confirmed outbreak in nearly three years, following a single case in Beni, North Kivu, in 2022. Bulape—the current epicentre—last experienced an outbreak in 2007.
Index case
“The first known index case was a pregnant woman who presented at Bulape General Reference Hospital on 20 August 2025 with symptoms of high fever, bloody diarrhoea, haemorrhage and extreme weakness. She died on 25 August from multiple organ failure,” WHO said in a statement after the outbreak was announced.
On Sunday, the WHO confirmed via X that it had delivered 12 tonnes of emergency aid to the DRC, including protective equipment for frontline workers.
“Today, @WHO shipped 12 tonnes of emergency medical supplies and equipment from its Emergency Response and Preparedness hub in #Nairobi to support the #DRC Ebola outbreak response,” the statement reads.
“The consignment includes personal protective equipment able to serve 120 frontline workers for one month, patient isolation materials, water, sanitation and hygiene supplies.”
WHO has warned that the outbreak will require stronger surveillance and rapid response measures. These include tighter monitoring at borders and points of entry, swift isolation of suspected cases, and treatment in secure facilities with proper infection control.
The organisation also stressed the importance of joint investigations, real-time data sharing, and closer coordination with neighbouring countries to minimise the risk of wider regional spread.
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