Congo Declares End of 16th Ebola Outbreak After 42 Days with No Cases

KINSHASA, Dec. 1 — The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially declared the end of its 16th Ebola outbreak after going 42 consecutive days without a new case, health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Monday.

The outbreak, which began on September 4 in the Bulape health zone in Kasai Province, resulted in 64 confirmed cases, including 45 deaths and 19 recoveries, according to the Congolese Ministry of Health.

Officials credit the swift containment to Congo’s revamped national disease surveillance system, which enabled rapid detection and targeted response.

“Controlling and ending this Ebola outbreak in just three months is a remarkable achievement,” said Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director.

The last confirmed patient was discharged on October 19, and no new cases have been recorded since September 25. By global standards, two 21-day incubation cycles without new infections are required before declaring the end of an outbreak.

The DRC will now enter a 90-day enhanced surveillance period to ensure no flare-ups.

U.S. Support and Partnership

Marking the announcement, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa said the United States had contributed over $21 million to support the response.

“We stand with the survivors and grieving families who symbolize the strength of the Congolese people,” read a joint statement from the Bureau of African Affairs and the U.S. Embassy.

The statement emphasized continued support to strengthen Congo’s health systems, train medical teams, and prevent future outbreaks.

Ebola, a rare but deadly virus endemic to Congo’s dense tropical forests, causes fever, hemorrhaging, and often death. The DRC remains one of the most affected countries globally since the virus was first discovered there in 1976.