Ebola Outbreak in the DRC: Current Situation

What to know

  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (Ebola) in the country's Kasai Province.
  • The affected province is a remote area with limited transportation networks. This may lower the risk of the outbreak spreading to other areas. But it also makes it challenging for emergency responders to reach due to minimal roads.
  • Ebola is a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever that can cause serious illness and death in up to 9 in 10 people infected.
  • Currently, there are no cases of Ebola reported outside of the DRC, and the risk to people in the United States is low.

Current situation

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo

  • On September 4, 2025, the DRC Ministry of Public Health officially declared an outbreak of Ebola in Bulape health zone in Kasai Province.
  • As of November 5, 2025, there are 64 people with confirmed or probable Ebola, which includes 45 deaths. Over 42,000 people have been vaccinated against Ebola. CDC will update the numbers as the outbreak continues.
  • This is the 16th Ebola outbreak in the DRC since the virus was discovered there in 1976.

In the United States

What CDC is doing

  • CDC has operated an office in the DRC since 2002. Our staff there works closely with the government of DRC and partner organizations to quickly detect, prevent and control infectious disease outbreaks.
  • More than 100 staff from CDC's U.S. headquarters and its DRC office are assisting in the response.
  • CDC has also deployed a response team to Kinshasa and the outbreak zone to provide guidance and technical support in disease detection, laboratory, infection control and prevention, vaccination, logistics, information technology, and global security.
  • CDC has secured or facilitated transfer of laboratory tests or testing materials, and personal protective equipment to DRC.
  • CDC posted a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for the DRC, recommending people practice usual precautions if traveling to the country.
  • CDC also issued a Health Alert Network notice about the outbreak, summarizing recommendations for U.S. public health departments and healthcare providers.
  • CDC also performed a rapid assessment of the risk posed to the United States and an outbreak scenario assessment of how the outbreak may progress.

Resources

For the public

For clinicians, public health partners, and laboratory staff

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)