WHO Begins Ebola Vaccination Campaign in DRC’s Kasai Province as Outbreak Spreads
Story written by Myra Chinonso September 16,2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an urgent Ebola vaccination programme in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Kasai Province following confirmation of the country’s first outbreak in three years.
Health authorities reported that 400 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine have been delivered to Bulape, the outbreak’s epicentre, from a national reserve of 2,000 doses. In addition, the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision has authorised the release of 45,000 more doses to help strengthen containment measures.
According to the Ministry of Health in Kinshasa, the outbreak, declared in early September, has already resulted in 32 suspected cases, 20 confirmed infections, and 16 deaths. The Ebola virus, which is endemic in Congo’s tropical forest regions, continues to pose recurring public health threats.
WHO official Patrick Otim cautioned that the situation requires immediate attention after a case was detected nearly 70 kilometres from Bulape, raising fears of cross-border spread into neighbouring Angola. He described the overall risk level as “moderate” but warned that reduced foreign aid and weakened global response systems could complicate control efforts.
The vaccination rollout is part of a comprehensive emergency response that also includes community awareness, contact tracing, and disease surveillance to prevent further transmission.
The DRC has recorded more Ebola outbreaks than any other country since the virus was first identified in 1976, making it one of the most closely monitored regions for the deadly disease.
