The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially declared an end to its latest Ebola outbreak after going 42 consecutive days without recording a new infection.
Health Minister Roger Kamba announced that the country’s 16th Ebola outbreak resulted in 53 confirmed cases, 45 deaths, and 11 probable cases. He highlighted the vaccination of more than 47,500 people and praised frontline workers for their crucial role in containing the virus.
Kamba noted, however, that the nation continues to battle other health threats, including cholera and mpox.
The outbreak was first declared on 4 September in Bulape, Kasai province marking the region’s first Ebola emergence since 2008.
Health personnel, together with the World Health Organization (WHO), coordinated the response by setting up a new Ebola treatment center and addressing early logistical challenges such as limited vaccine access and funding constraints.
“Controlling and ending this Ebola outbreak in three months is a remarkable achievement,” said Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. He credited the swift, united action of national authorities, health workers, partners, and local communities, even in one of the country’s most difficult-to-reach areas.
Kasai has not recorded a new Ebola case since 25 September, and the final patient was discharged on 19 October. The country now enters a 90-day period of heightened surveillance to ensure the virus does not resurface.
