The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has achieved a major milestone in its efforts to control the recent Ebola outbreak. On 19 October 2025, the last remaining Ebola patient in the country was discharged from treatment, setting the stage for a 42-day countdown to declaring the outbreak officially over. This recovery marks the end of a challenging chapter in Kasai Province’s battle against the virus.
Since the outbreak was first reported on 4 September 2025 in the Bulape health zone, a total of 64 cases have been confirmed, including 53 cases of Ebola and 11 probable ones. Fortunately, no new cases have been reported since 25 September, offering hope that the outbreak is under control. A total of 19 patients have made a full recovery, including the final discharged patient.
The outbreak was primarily concentrated in a rural and remote area, where challenges such as poor road infrastructure and limited access to healthcare facilities made the response even more difficult. However, national authorities, with strong support from international partners like the World Health Organization (WHO), swiftly implemented a series of public health measures to combat the virus and protect communities.
Key actions in the outbreak response included the establishment of a 32-bed Ebola treatment centre in Bulape, complete with a specialized Intensive Infectious Disease Treatment Module (IIDTM). This facility was constructed in record time, marking a first for the region in an operational setting. In addition, over 35,000 individuals in the area received the Ebola vaccine, which was a crucial step in preventing further spread of the disease.
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, praised the collective efforts that led to the successful management of the outbreak. He highlighted the role of national expertise, international cooperation, and swift, coordinated action as critical factors in overcoming the challenges posed by this remote outbreak. “The recovery of the last patient just six weeks after the outbreak was declared is a remarkable achievement,” he said.
The next key date in the response is early December 2025, when the outbreak will be officially declared over, assuming no new cases are detected. WHO and local health authorities remain vigilant and continue to work together to ensure ongoing surveillance and preparedness in the region.
