An Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic was declared in Bulape, Kasai province, on 4 September 2025. In a month time, 64 cases (53 confirmed and 11 probable), including 43 deaths (32 confirmed, 11 probable) have been reported from six affected health areas in Bulape Health Zone.

Since the very first days, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been supporting the Ministry of Health and WHO in the response. For over a month, our teams have been treating patients and building treatment and isolation centres.

More than a month after the epidemic was declared, the situation is under control. No new confirmed case has been reported since 26 September. Many suspected cases are detected through the authorities' surveillance system, but the number of new patients requiring Ebola treatment has dropped. As of 14 October, there was only one confirmed patient at the Bulape treatment centre, along with around 15 'suspected' patients awaiting test results. 

There are good reasons to be optimistic at this stage, especially as vaccinations have been carried out in all outbreak areas. With the emergency phase now over, we can begin preparing the handover of activities, so that the remaining care can be managed by other organisations. As a reminder, the World Health Organization (WHO) declares an Ebola outbreak over after 42 consecutive days with no new confirmed or probable cases. As of 9 September, national health authorities reported more than 20 confirmed cases and 16 deaths. Several health workers are among the victims. This marks the 16th Ebola outbreak in DRC since the virus was first identified in the country in 1976. 
In coordination with the Congolese Ministry of Health and alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) rapidly mobilised teams and joined a multi-agency emergency mission to the area on 3 September—before the official outbreak declaration—to assess the situation and support immediate response efforts. 
An Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) has been established within the hospital compound, and this week, the facility began admitting its first patients. MSF, MoH, and WHO teams are jointly providing care. 
In addition, MSF teams have visited surrounding health facilities to strengthen IPC protocols and train healthcare workers in how to respond safely and effectively to suspected Ebola cases.