The Conversation The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has declared a new Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province. It’s caused by the most severe strain: Zaire Ebola virus.
This outbreak began with a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to hospital on August 20 and died five days later. Two health workers who treated her also became infected and died.
By September 15, there were 81 confirmed cases and 28 deaths, including four health workers.
The DRC has had 15 prior Ebola epidemics, with the largest in 2019 and the most recent in 2022.
But genetic analysis shows the outbreak likely began after a spillover from an animal to a human, rather than a continuation of earlier outbreaks.