The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced a new outbreak of the Ebola virus, marking the country's 16th occurrence of the disease. The health ministry reported 28 suspected cases and 15 confirmed deaths related to the outbreak.

The outbreak was first identified when a 34-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalized in Kasai province on August 20. She exhibited symptoms such as high fever and vomiting. The health ministry confirmed that samples tested on Wednesday revealed the presence of the Zaire strain of the virus.

Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba stated, "To date, the provisional report shows 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including 14 in Boulapé and one in Mweka, as well as four healthcare workers."

The World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that the number of cases is likely to rise as the virus continues to spread. In response, the WHO plans to send two tons of medical supplies, including mobile laboratory equipment, to assist in the outbreak response.

WHO regional director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, emphasized the importance of the country's experience in managing such outbreaks. He said, "The Democratic Republic of Congo has a lot of experience in combating such outbreaks. We're acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities."

Ebola is a highly infectious and deadly hemorrhagic fever, with an average fatality rate of about 50 percent, according to WHO. The virus is believed to be naturally hosted by fruit bats and can spread to humans through contact with infected animals' bodily fluids. Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of infected individuals.

Initial symptoms of Ebola include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. As the disease progresses, it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and impaired kidney and liver function. In severe cases, patients may experience internal and external bleeding.

The last Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo occurred in 2022 in the Equateur province, where it was contained within three months, resulting in five deaths. This was a significant contrast to the outbreak from 2018 to 2020, which claimed nearly 2,300 lives. The WHO attributed the difference to a swift and robust response, including testing, contact tracing, and vaccination efforts.

Currently, the WHO has a stockpile of treatments and 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine ready to be transported to Kasai for vaccination of contacts and frontline health workers.

In early 2023, Uganda, which shares a border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, also reported an Ebola outbreak following the death of a nurse at a major hospital.