Ebola

The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) on 7 February 2021 after the laboratory confirmation of one case in Butembo, North Kivu Province.

Genetic sequencing analysis indicates that that this outbreak is linked to the two-year long outbreak that took place in North Kivu and Ituri provinces from 2018 to 2020, but the infection’s source is yet to be determined.

The response was coordinated by the Provincial Department of Health in collaboration with WHO and partners. WHO had nearly 60 experts on the ground and as soon as the outbreak was declared helped local workers to trace contacts, provide treatment, engage communities and vaccinate nearly 2000 people at high risk, including over 500 frontline workers. Eleven confirmed cases and one probable case, six deaths and six recoveries were recorded in four health zones. 

The outbreak was declared over on 3 May 2021. WHO continues to work with the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fight other public health problems such as outbreaks of measles and cholera, the COVID-19 pandemic and a weak health system.

Disease outbreak news - start of the out break - end of the outbreak