Report on Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

1.0 Executive Summary

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Kasai Province. This report details the current situation, the coordinated response, and the significant implications for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). As of 4 September 2025, the outbreak poses a direct threat to public health, challenging the nation’s capacity for disease surveillance and response as outlined in SDG Target 3.d.

• Location: Bulape and Mweka health zones, Kasai Province, DRC.
• Status (as of 4 Sept 2025): 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths.
• Affected Population: Includes four deceased health workers, highlighting the critical risk to frontline responders and the impact on SDG Target 3.c (Health Workforce).
• Confirmed Cause: Ebola Zaire, confirmed by the National Institute of Biomedical Research.

2.0 Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The EVD outbreak directly impedes progress on several SDGs, with the most acute impact on SDG 3.

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The outbreak is a significant setback for SDG Target 3.3, which aims to end the epidemics of communicable diseases. The rapid response is crucial to strengthen the country’s capacity for early warning, risk reduction, and management of national and global health risks (SDG Target 3.d).
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The mobilization of a national Rapid Response Team and the diagnostic work of the National Institute of Biomedical Research demonstrate the functioning of national institutions. An effective and transparent response reinforces public trust and institutional strength.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The collaboration between the DRC’s health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) is a clear example of SDG 17 in action. This partnership is vital for mobilizing financial resources, technology, and expertise to combat the health crisis.

3.0 Coordinated Response and Mitigation Efforts

A multi-faceted response, grounded in the principles of international cooperation (SDG 17), has been initiated to contain the outbreak and protect communities, directly contributing to the targets of SDG 3.

3.1 Deployment and Surveillance

• A national Rapid Response Team has been deployed to Kasai Province.
• The team is supported by WHO experts specializing in epidemiology, infection prevention and control (IPC), laboratory services, and case management.
• The primary objective is to rapidly strengthen disease surveillance and IPC in health facilities to halt human-to-human transmission.

3.2 Community Engagement and Logistical Support

• Provincial risk communication experts are engaging with local communities to disseminate critical information on protective measures.
• WHO is providing two tonnes of essential supplies, including:
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Mobile laboratory equipment
  • Medical supplies
• Logistical challenges are significant due to the remote location of the affected area.

3.3 Medical Countermeasures

• The DRC has a stockpile of treatments and 2000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine prepositioned in Kinshasa.
• These resources will be rapidly deployed to Kasai to support a ring vaccination strategy, targeting contacts and frontline health workers to curb the spread of the virus.

4.0 Background and Historical Context

The DRC has extensive experience in managing EVD outbreaks, which informs the current response strategy aimed at safeguarding public health in line with SDG 3.

• This is the 15th EVD outbreak in the DRC since the virus was first identified in 1976.
• Previous outbreaks in Kasai province occurred in 2007 and 2008.
• The country’s most recent outbreak in Equateur province (April 2022) was controlled within three months, demonstrating the effectiveness of its established response mechanisms.
• EVD is a severe, often fatal illness transmitted to humans from animals (e.g., fruit bats) and spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The entire article focuses on a public health crisis—an Ebola outbreak—and the response to it, which is central to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article highlights the collaboration between the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s national health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat the outbreak.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The article implicitly addresses this goal by mentioning the infrastructure challenges that hinder the health response, such as the difficulty in reaching the affected area.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.3: End epidemics and combat communicable diseases.
   • The article is entirely about an outbreak of Ebola, a severe communicable disease. The efforts described, such as deploying response teams, strengthening surveillance, and preparing vaccines, are all aimed at halting the spread of this epidemic. The text states the goal is to “rapidly halt the spread of the virus” and “end the outbreak as soon as possible.”
2. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity for early warning, risk reduction, and management of national and global health risks.
   • The response described in the article is a direct application of this target. The deployment of a “national Rapid Response Team,” WHO experts in epidemiology and infection control, and the use of stockpiled vaccines and treatments demonstrate the country’s efforts, with international support, to manage a national health risk. The article mentions the country’s “long-standing expertise in controlling viral disease outbreaks,” which points to established capacity.
3. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development.
   • The collaboration between the DRC’s health authorities and the WHO is a clear example of this target in action. The article states that WHO experts joined the national team and that WHO is “delivering two tonnes of supplies.” This partnership mobilizes international expertise and resources to support the national response.
4. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
   • The article points to a deficit in this area by stating, “The area is difficult to reach, taking at least one day of driving from Tshikapa (the provincial capital of Kasai), with few air links.” This lack of reliable transport infrastructure is a significant challenge to delivering supplies and personnel, directly impacting the effectiveness of the health response and human well-being.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Target 3.3:
   • Number of new cases and deaths: The article provides baseline figures of “28 suspected cases and 15 deaths.” Progress towards ending the epidemic would be measured by a reduction in the number of new cases and deaths over time.
   • Mortality Rate: The number of deaths (15) relative to the number of cases (28) implies a high mortality rate. A successful response would lower this rate through effective treatment and case management.
2. Indicators for Target 3.d:
   • Response Time and Capacity: The article implies this through the rapid deployment of a national team and WHO experts. The existence of “a stockpile of treatments, as well as 2000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine” serves as an indicator of the country’s health emergency preparedness.
   • Number of Health Workers Affected: The article notes that four of the 15 deaths were health workers. A reduction in infections among frontline workers would indicate improved infection prevention and control measures, a key aspect of health risk management.
3. Indicators for Target 17.16:
   • Mobilization of Resources: The article provides a specific indicator of partnership by mentioning that WHO is “delivering two tonnes of supplies including personal protective equipment, mobile laboratory equipment and medical supplies.” The quantity and type of resources mobilized by international partners can be used to measure the strength of the partnership.
4. Indicators for Target 9.1:
   • Accessibility of Remote Areas: The article implies a negative indicator by describing the travel difficulty: “at least one day of driving” and “few air links.” An improvement would be measured by reduced travel times and increased transport options to such areas, demonstrating better infrastructure.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: afro.who.int