By Badylon Kawanda Bakiman
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in central Africa has just recorded a new Ebola outbreak. This time, the virus is raging in the Bulape health zone, Kasaï province in the center of the country.
The Minister of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare, Dr. Roger Kamba, officially declared it on Thursday, September 4, during a press briefing in Kinshasa, the capital, stating that this is the 16th Ebola virus disease epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The strain identified is Zaire.
The provisional toll reported by the minister is 28 suspected cases already identified, including 16 deaths, among them four health workers, representing a fatality rate of 57%.
“The statement I am making today is based on rigorous facts, scientific clarity, and a comprehensive investigation… That is why I am officially announcing, on behalf of the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare, the resurgence of the Ebola virus disease, Zaire strain, in the Bulape health zone in Kasai province,” said Dr. Roger Samuel Kamba.
Kamba announced the deployment of rapid response teams, the strengthening of epidemiological surveillance, and the establishment of triage and isolation centers.
“Ebola is a serious disease, but early, free, and comprehensive care increases the chances of survival,” he added, while urging the population to comply with preventive measures.
This time, the first case dates back to August 20, 2025. It was reported in a pregnant woman who presented at Bulapé General Hospital in Kasai with alarming symptoms: high fever, vomiting, extreme weakness, and bleeding.
On Wednesday, September 3, five samples confirmed the presence of the virus. Since then, twenty-eight other suspected cases have been reported in this province. At present, the mortality rate is estimated at just over 50%. Four members of the medical staff at Bulapé General Hospital are among those who have died.
