On September 13, 2025, health workers in the Bulape health zone of central Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) rolled up their sleeves to begin administering the first doses of the Ebola vaccine, marking the latest chapter in the country’s long and difficult battle against one of the world’s deadliest diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the start of vaccinations just days after a new outbreak was declared in Kasai Province, a region that, despite its remoteness, is now at the epicenter of an escalating health emergency.
The outbreak, caused by the Zaire Ebola virus—the most severe strain—has already left a tragic mark. According to WHO statements and reports from Xinhua, the initial case was a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to a local hospital on August 20 and died five days later. Two health workers who cared for her also succumbed to the disease, highlighting the acute risks faced by frontline medical staff. By September 15, the number of confirmed cases had climbed to 81, with 28 deaths, including four health workers. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that as of September 11, at least 68 suspected cases had been reported, with 16 deaths, and the numbers have only continued to rise.
The epicenter of the outbreak is located near Tshikapa, the capital of Kasai Province, about 100 to 200 kilometers from the Angolan border. This rural district, while remote, is far from isolated: frequent population movements between Bulape and Tshikapa, as well as cross-border travel to Angola for trade and work, are stoking fears that the virus could spread more widely. The DRC’s Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, has been racing against time to contain the outbreak before it spirals beyond control.
“Containing the outbreak is possible if appropriate measures are taken within the next two weeks,” said Patrick Otim, WHO Program Area Manager, at a press briefing in Geneva. The urgency is palpable, especially given the DRC’s troubled history with Ebola. This marks the 16th outbreak in the country since the virus was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River, in what was then Zaire. Kasai Province itself has faced Ebola before, with outbreaks in 2007 and 2008.
Genetic analysis suggests that this latest outbreak likely began with a spillover event—where the virus jumped from an animal host to a human—rather than being a continuation of previous outbreaks. Fruit bats are believed to be the natural reservoir for Ebola, but humans can also become infected through contact with other animals such as chimpanzees, antelopes, or porcupines. Once in the human population, the virus spreads primarily through direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids of infected individuals.
The symptoms are as dramatic as they are devastating: fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headaches, and sore throat are often the first signs, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, bleeding, and, in severe cases, shock. The disease can incubate for anywhere from two to 21 days, and without early treatment, the death rate can soar to between 50% and 90%. The quality of health care available makes a critical difference—an unfortunate reality in a country where health systems are already stretched thin by concurrent outbreaks of mpox, cholera, and measles, and where ongoing armed conflict complicates access to care and supplies.
Health workers are especially vulnerable. During the largest recorded Ebola epidemic in West Africa from 2013 to 2016, more than 800 health workers were infected and two-thirds died, according to The Conversation. The risks are compounded by inadequate protective gear, needle stick injuries, and the challenges of infection prevention in under-resourced settings. Survivors of Ebola can also carry the virus in immune-privileged sites such as the brain, eyes, or semen for months or even years, and in rare cases, the virus can reactivate, sparking new transmission chains.
Despite these daunting challenges, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of the Ervebo vaccine (rVSV-ZEBOV). The WHO has supplied an initial batch of 400 doses to Bulape, with about 45,000 more expected to arrive soon. Another 1,500 doses are stored in the capital, Kinshasa, awaiting deployment once ultra-cold chain storage is operational. The Ervebo vaccine has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness: 100% protection in clinical trials when given immediately after exposure, 95% if administered 12 or more days after exposure, and 84% real-world effectiveness during the last DRC outbreak. The current strategy focuses on “ring vaccination,” targeting contacts of confirmed cases and frontline health workers—those most at risk.
“Ring vaccination of contacts of known cases has started, as well as vaccination of front-line workers,” WHO officials confirmed. This approach, coupled with early isolation of suspected cases, rigorous contact tracing, quarantine measures, and the establishment of field hospitals, forms the backbone of the response. Safe burial practices—avoiding the traditional washing or touching of bodies—are also crucial to breaking the chain of transmission.
Still, the logistical hurdles are significant. Vaccines require cold storage and safe transport to reach remote villages like Bulape. Contact tracing is complicated by insecurity and population movement, and maintaining a steady supply of protective gear for health workers is a constant struggle. According to The Conversation, early detection systems, including AI-driven platforms like EPIWATCH, have played a role in flagging unusual disease activity, providing valuable early warnings even before laboratory confirmation is possible.
The stakes are high, but so too is the resolve of those on the ground. The WHO currently assesses the public health risk as high within the DRC, moderate at the regional level, and low globally. If the outbreak is contained swiftly, experts believe it could remain localized, sparing the region and the world from a larger crisis. Yet, as history has shown, delays in detection, rumors and distrust of authorities, and traditional practices can all conspire to fuel wider epidemics.
The DRC’s last major Ebola outbreak ended in September 2022, after a single case in North Kivu was genetically linked to the devastating 2018–2020 outbreak that claimed nearly 2,300 lives. The lessons learned from those tragedies—about the importance of early intervention, community engagement, and international support—are now being put to the test once again in Kasai Province.
For now, the world watches as health workers, scientists, and local communities in the DRC confront Ebola with determination and, for the first time, a powerful vaccine on their side. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this outbreak can be contained before it grows into another global emergency.