Ebola

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s 11th Ebola virus disease outbreak was announced on 1 June 2020 after a cluster of cases was detected in the Mbandaka area of Équateur Province. 

Genetic sequence analysis by the DRC's National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) found that two genetically distinct Ebola Zaire viruses were in circulation during this outbreak, based on available information – one was the Ebola virus from the previous outbreak in 2018, and a new Ebola Zaire virus that emerged in 2020.

On 18 November 2020, the Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared the end of the Ebola outbreak in accordance with WHO recommendations – 42 days after the last confirmed case tested negative for the second time on 6 October 2020 in Makanza Health Zone, Equateur Province. The outbreak took place in communities scattered across dense rain forests as well as crowded urban areas, creating logistical challenges; the leadership of the government and local communities, supported by the WHO and partners, were instrumental in overcoming them.

WHO recommends continued vigilance and maintaining strong surveillance to watch for potential flare-ups in the months ahead.

Disease outbreak news - start of the outbreak - end of the outbreak