After an intense 3 months, DR Congo declares Ebola outbreak officially over

The declaration was made on December 1, 2025, after 42 days had passed without any new reported cases, following the discharge of the last patient on October 19.

The outbreak, which was officially declared on September 4 after the first known patient died on August 25 from multiple organ failure, resulted in a total of 64 cases—53 confirmed and 11 probable—and 45 deaths.

"On behalf of the government— and taking into account all the scientific and operational indicators confirming that the chain of transmission of the virus has been broken—I hereby officially declare the end of the 16th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," said Dr Samuel Roger Kamba, Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare.

The Ministry of Health, supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners, worked to contain the outbreak in a span of three months. According to Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, the rapid containment effort reflects strong coordination among all parties involved.

"Controlling and ending this Ebola outbreak in three months is a remarkable achievement. National authorities, frontline health workers, partners and communities acted with speed and unity in one of the country's hard-to-reach localities," he stated. "WHO is proud to have supported the response and to leave behind stronger systems, from clean water to safer care, that will protect communities long after the outbreak has ended."

For the first time in a DRC Ebola response, a specialised care facility—the Infectious Disease Treatment Module (IDTM)—was introduced. Developed by the WHO, the World Food Programme, and other stakeholders, the IDTM aimed to ensure better protection for health workers and provide safer and more dignified treatment for patients.

Vaccination efforts also formed a key part of the response. More than 47,500 people were vaccinated against Ebola, beginning with known contacts of confirmed cases and later extending to surrounding communities in and near Bulape.

This outbreak took place against the backdrop of a worsening humanitarian crisis in the country, marked by conflict in eastern DRC and widespread internal displacement. Over 7 million people currently face limited access to basic services, including food, clean water, and healthcare.

Ebola virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness in humans. It spreads through direct contact with blood or body fluids from an infected person or from contaminated surfaces. The DRC has experienced multiple outbreaks since the disease was first identified in 1976, including previous ones in Kasai Province in 2007 and 2008.

The country will now enter 90 days of heightened disease surveillance to monitor for any potential resurgence.