On Dec. 1, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Ministry of Health declared the end of the Ebola outbreak that occurred in Kasai Province. Since 1976, this was the 16th outbreak recorded in the country. The outbreak first occurred in the Bulape Health Zone and was declared on Sept. 4, 2025. A total of 64 cases were reported, with 45 deaths and a case fatality rate of 70.3%.

The urgent national and international response, including surveillance, case management, vaccination and community engagement, achieved successful containment of the disease. The outbreak occurred in a rural, hard-to-reach area with poor roads and limited infrastructure. The response illustrates how effective disease control safeguards vulnerable populations, minimizes economic disruption and supports poverty reduction while strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income countries. The last Ebola patient was discharged on Oct. 19, 2025, in Bulape, triggering the required 42-day countdown before officially declaring the outbreak over. Since Sept. 25, 2025, no new Ebola cases have been reported.

National Response and Vaccination Campaign

The leadership of the DRC government and the Ministry of Health led to a rapid response to the Ebola outbreak. Pre-existing agreements with vaccine manufacturers ensured immediate availability, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, played a vital role in delivering 300,000 investigational doses of the rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine. As a result, ring vaccination was rapidly implemented on Sept. 14, 2025, in the Bulape Health Zone, focusing on high-risk contacts and frontline health workers. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also contributed operational support.

A total of 112 WHO experts and frontline responders were deployed to support field operations, and more than 150 tons of medical supplies and equipment were delivered to safeguard health workers and communities. Strong government coordination and decision-making also resulted in the introduction of an Infectious Disease Treatment Module (IDTM) to deliver higher-quality patient care while enhancing health worker safety. As a result, more than 47,500 people were vaccinated against Ebola.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also played a vital role in preserving vaccine cold chain integrity in a region with limited infrastructure while working in close partnership with the DRC Ministry of Health, WHO and other United Nations (U.N.) agencies. Beyond vaccination, UNICEF supported medical care for Ebola patients, strengthened hygiene measures in schools and health facilities and delivered community education on disease prevention. Operational challenges were addressed by improving access to clean water at Bulape Hospital through the installation of a piped water system, delivering lasting benefits for both the facility and the wider community. The coordinated response halted transmission, minimized secondary infections and enabled the outbreak to be declared over.

Treatment Center and Clinical Efforts

The establishment of a new treatment center in Bulape supported the successful management of the Ebola outbreak. The 32-bed facility has been operational since Oct. 9, 2025, and was built on a 4,500-square-meter site located 200 meters from Bulape General Hospital. The center features 14 tents with private rooms to ensure patient dignity and privacy. Patient monitoring systems allowed staff to provide care without direct exposure to the disease, clearly separating “red zone” (high-risk) and “green zone” (low-risk) areas for safer workflow. The center also included a water, sanitation and hygiene system with a 20,000-liter capacity supplied from a protected source 1.2 kilometers away.

Another key innovation was the introduction of the Infectious Disease Treatment Module (IDTM) to provide more humane care. The module included the use of a “patient liner,” which allows constant patient visibility while maintaining safety, and a deliberate shift in language to emphasize dignity by referring to people as “patients” rather than “cases” and facilities as “treatment centers” instead of “isolation centers.”

In terms of staffing, 50 health professionals and 75 hygienists were trained, all staff were vaccinated and 64 WHO experts were deployed.

As a result, continuous collaboration between the Ministry of Health, WHO, Africa CDC and NGO partners made timely access to treatment and vaccines critical to reducing fatalities and stopping the outbreak. The WHO Africa director, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, said, “The recovery of the last patient … illustrates the strength of partnership, national expertise and collective determination to overcome obstacles to save lives.”

Looking Ahead

The successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in the DRC demonstrates the strength of coordinated public health action, effective partnerships and community engagement. Beyond ending transmission, the response improved preparedness, strengthened health systems and built community resilience. This achievement reinforces regional health security and reflects the DRC’s growing capacity to respond effectively to future outbreaks.

– Angela D’Avino

Angela is based in Preston, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay