The virus has been contained three months after the start of the epidemic in DR Congo, which resulted in 45 deaths, according to health officials
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) has declared an end to the Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province after 42 days with no new infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday. The countdown began on October 19, when the last patient was discharged from treatment.
The outbreak was detected in September in the town of Bulape, making it the 16th recorded in the country since Ebola was first identified in 1976. Kasai had previously experienced outbreaks in 2007 and 2008.
“Today is an important day for the Ministry of Health, because we have good news, we are here… to announce the end of an Ebola epidemic,” Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said, as quoted by the Congolese Press Agency (ACP).
According to WHO figures, the outbreak resulted in 64 cases – 53 confirmed and 11 deemed probable – and 45 deaths.
WHO regional director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, praised the speed of the response, describing containment within three months as “a remarkable achievement.” He said national authorities, health workers, partners and local communities worked effectively in one of the country’s more remote and difficult-to-access areas.
For the first time during an Ebola emergency, health officials deployed an Infectious Disease Treatment Module (IDTM), a care facility developed by WHO, the World Food Program (WFP) and other partners, according to the WHO. The system is designed to improve safety for healthcare workers while offering more efficient patient care.
Vaccination campaigns also played a central role in the response. More than 45,000 people were vaccinated across ten health zones, ACP reported. The campaign included children under 12, identified contacts, pregnant women and frontline health personnel.
Ebola, a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever, is spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or tissue. Symptoms often include high fever, fatigue, headaches, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, and internal or external bleeding.
Earlier this year, Uganda declared a new Ebola outbreak after a 32-year-old nurse died of multiple organ failure. The WHO reported 14 cases with four deaths.
