On 1 December 2025, the DRC Ministry of Health declared the end of the Ebola outbreak that began on 4 September 2025. The declaration followed two consecutive incubation periods (42 days) since the last confirmed patient tested negative and was discharged on 19 October.
The outbreak affected six health areas in Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province, with 64 cases (53 confirmed, 11 probable) and 45 deaths (CFR 70.3%). This marks the DRC’s 16th Ebola outbreak.
Although the outbreak has been declared over, health authorities are maintaining surveillance to rapidly identify and respond to any re-emergence.
Travellers should follow general preventive measures:
- Wash hands regularly and carefully using soap and water (or alcohol gel if soap is unavailable).
- Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.
- Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.
- Avoid visiting healthcare facilities in the filovirus-affected areas for nonurgent medical care or non-medical reasons.
- Avoid contact with dead bodies or items that have been in contact with dead bodies, participating in funeral or burial rituals, or attending a funeral or burial.
- Avoid handling, cooking, or eating bush/wild meat (meat of wild/feral mammals killed for food).
- Wash and peel fruit and vegetables before consumption.
- Avoid visiting mines or bat caves and contact with all wild animals; alive or dead, particularly bats.
- If visiting mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies, wear gloves and other appropriate protective clothing, including masks and eye protection.
- Practice safer sex.