Attachments
Executive Summary
On 4 September 2025, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Kasai Province, following confirmation of Zaire ebolavirus by the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Bulape and Mweka Health Zones. As of 19 September, there have been 48 total cases (38 confirmed, 10 probable) with 31 deaths (21 confirmed, 10 probable) and a CFR of 64.5%. Among laboratory confirmed cases, 16 deaths were recorded (CFR: 45.7%). Four deaths occurred among health workers, underscoring the risk of nosocomial transmission. Most cases (39.7%) are among adults aged 20 years and above, in a densely populated, remote, and under-resourced area.
The outbreak is driven by multiple risk factors, including transmission in health facilities with limited infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and personal protective equipment (PPE), incomplete contact tracing, delayed detection, and unsafe burial practices. High population mobility between Bulape and Tshikapa, reliance on traditional healers, and the concurrent mpox outbreak are further straining the fragile health system and increasing the risk of geographic spread.
The Government of DRC, through the Ministry of Health, is leading a coordinated, multisectoral response with support from WHO, UN agencies, NGOs, donors, and regional partners. Response priorities align with the five pillars of the WHO Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Framework (“5Cs”): collaborative surveillance, community protection, safe and scalable care, emergency coordination, and access to countermeasures. Surveillance has been intensified through active case finding, investigation, and laboratory testing, with a focus on community- and event-based surveillance and cross-border coordination. Risk communication and community engagement are being scaled up through local leaders, faith-based organizations, and youth groups to promote safe burials, strengthen community IPC, and address gender-based violence, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and safe breastfeeding practices.
Clinical care capacity is being expanded through the establishment and rehabilitation of treatment centres, provision of optimized clinical and psychosocial care, and continuity of maternal, child health, and nutrition services. Coordination platforms are operational at national and provincial levels, with a field hub in Mweka overseeing operations in Bulape. Access to medical countermeasures—including vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and essential supplies—is being facilitated by the Government with support from WHO, WFP, MSF, and partners through the International Coordinating Group (ICG) mechanism.
This SPRP requires approximately US$ 66.6 million for partners to contribute to the National Response Plan, which costs US$ 72.8 million. Resources are allocated across response pillars: collaborative surveillance (US$ 6.6M), community protection (US$ 6.3), safe and scalable care (US$ 19.8M), access to countermeasures (US$ 13.2M), emergency coordination (US $12.9M), operational support for readiness (US $7.7M).
This plan reflects the strong commitment of the Government and partners to rapidly contain the outbreak and mitigate its impact on affected communities. It also provides a platform to strengthen preparedness capacities and build long-term resilience in the health system, particularly in areas such as water and sanitation, laboratory capacity, and human resources.