With report of the resurgence of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has informed its members; urging countries to institute stringent measures to curb the escalation.
The new virus is report in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
It can be recalled that on September 4, 2025, DRC’s Ministry of Health, declared an outbreak of the EVD, following laboratory confirmation of the virus in five samples from suspected cases.
According to a statement from ECOWAS, dated August 7, 2025, the index case is a 34-year-old woman residing in Bulape District (Kasai Province), who was diagnosed with high fever, diarrheal, abdominal pain, vomiting and multiple bleedings.
The statement added that the victim was admitted on August 20, 2025, at Bulape Regional Hospital, but subsequently died on August 25, 2025, revealing that up to date, 28 suspected cases, and at least 16 deaths, have been reported, including four health workers, with a case fatality rate estimated at 57 percent.
The statement said in response to this emergency, DRC’s National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), has activated the Incident Management System, adding that rapid response teams have been deployed, epidemiological surveillance has been strengthened, and triage and isolation structures have been established.
Also, ECOWAS disclosed that investigations are ongoing to identify all contacts. This is the 16th outbreak recorded in the country since the discovery of the virus in 1976. This new flare-up is caused by the Zaire strain, which has an existing vaccine.
According to the World Health Organization, DRC currently has a stock of vaccines ‘prepositioned in Kinshasa,’ which are to be delivered to the outbreak sites.
Risk for the ECOWAS Region
ECOWAS noted that the probability of case importation from DRC to the ECOWAS region remains significant due to the high volume of travel between DRC and West African capitals, as such, the Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC), strongly recommends to ECOWAS Member States to strengthen surveillance and early warning systems, particularly at air points of entry, especially for passengers arriving from or transiting through the DRC.
The RCSDC also advances the reinforcement of the capacities of national rapid response teams, enabling them to respond immediately to the notification of a suspected case.
The institution also encourages member states to ensure the availability of diagnostic capacity for EVD (Zaire strain), as well as the safe collection, transport, and sample analysis and strengthen risk communication and community engagement capacities.
Additionally, ECOWAS in its release recommended that member states strengthen/develop infection prevention and control capacities to ensure safe working conditions in healthcare facilities and within communities, and reinforce prevention and control measures during mass gatherings.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS encouraged member states to be prepared to provide safe care for all EVD cases in appropriately equipped facilities, recommending that the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC), will continue to closely monitor the situation and will regularly communicate relevant updates.
Source: Ibrahim A. Sherif /LINA
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