WHO Reports High Mortality Rate in Recent Ebola Outbreak in Congo

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a concerning escalation in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in southern Congo. Out of 38 confirmed cases, 31 have unfortunately resulted in fatalities, indicating a nearly 82% death rate. The outbreak, which was recently identified in the locality of Bulape in Kasai province near Angola, has been spreading rapidly with the number of casualties increasing significantly since last week.

Since the emergence of the outbreak, more than 900 contacts have been identified, highlighting the extensive reach of the disease in the region. Emergency vaccination campaigns have been underway since Sunday, with over 500 health care workers and contacts receiving the vaccine to help contain the spread and protect frontline responders.

Authorities initially reported the outbreak on September 5, and since then, the disease has expanded from two districts to four. logistical challenges, including transportation difficulties and limited storage infrastructure in Bulape, have slowed the vaccination efforts. Despite these obstacles, additional vaccine batches approved by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision are expected to arrive from Friday through Sunday to bolster response efforts.

The rapid spread and high mortality underscore the urgency of containment measures and continued vaccination efforts to prevent further deaths. WHO officials remain committed to supporting local health authorities in combating this deadly virus.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-ebola-cases-congo-resulted-deaths.html