World Health Organization has said since the last update issued on 15 September 2025, a total of 11 new confirmed cases have been reported from Bulape Health Zone in Kasai Province in Republic of Congo.
WHO in a statement released on Wednesday revealed that the outbreak remains geographically confined to six affected health areas include Bambalaie, Bulape, Bulape Communautaire, Dikolo, Ingongo and Mpianga) within Bulape Health Zone.
Recalled that the virus disease outbreak was officially declared by the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 4 September 2025 while the virus continues to unfold.
WHO further disclosed that 10 deceased patients who were not sampled and tested were also retrospectively reclassified as probable cases based on epidemiological links to confirmed cases.
It stated that as of 21 September 2025, a total of 57 cases (47 confirmed and 10 probable cases), including 35 deaths (25 confirmed and 10 probable) (overall case fatality ratio 61.4%) have been reported from Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“There are five confirmed cases among health workers. Cases range from zero to 65 years old, with age group 0 – 9 years the most affected, accounting for 23% of the total cases. 
“Females account for 61% of cases. Case fatality ratio among females is 56% compared to 73% among males. Children, housekeepers and farmers are the most affected groups”, the Agency said.
It further said the outbreak shows a decreasing trend of cases in the recent week, nevertheless the attention remains high, and response activities are ongoing in all affected health areas.
Which includes early case detection, isolation, case management, contact tracing, vaccination as well as risk communication and community engagement.
It revealed further that as of 21 Sept 2025, a total of 1 180 contacts has been identified and are being followed up. Of these, 94 completed 21 days of monitoring while the rest remain under follow-up.
Of 26 cases admitted to the Ebola
Treatment Centre since the onset of the outbreak, two (2) were successfully treated and discharged following their
recovery on 16 September 2025, five died and 19 are currently in treatment as of 21 September 2025.
“The current Ebola virus disease outbreak in Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province, represents a serious public health threat. The outbreak is likely to have originated from a new zoonotic spillover.
“And has already resulted in sustained human-to -human transmission, including infections and deaths among health workers, which heightens the risk of further nosocomial amplification. 
“The case fatality ratio of 61.4% underscores the high impact on human health. The impact on children, women, and frontline groups such as farmers and caregivers highlights both the community-based nature of exposure and the potential for household and occupational transmission chains.
“The rapid response mounted by national authorities commended. However, with the onset of the rainy season, which will intensify in the months ahead, worsening road conditions expected to challenge response efforts, making it harder to reach affected communities and deliver critical supplies.
“The next two to three weeks will be critical for containing transmission in Bulape Health Zone and reducing the risk of further spread.
“Government and partners need to maintain the momentum of the current response by strengthening surveillance, reinforcing IPC standards, expanding vaccination, and sustaining community
engagement. Central to this will be the availability of funding to scale up these interventions”, the report said.
