The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached a crucial milestone in its fight against Ebola. The last remaining patient in the country&rsquo;s latest outbreak was discharged from a treatment centre in Kasai province, marking the start of a 42-day countdown before the outbreak can officially be declared over, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Sunday.
The recovered patient is the 19th survivor out of 64 confirmed and probable cases since the outbreak was declared on September 4. &ldquo;The country&rsquo;s robust response, with support from WHO and partners, was pivotal to this achievement,&rdquo; said WHO Africa Director Mohamed Janabi, calling the recovery a &ldquo;remarkable achievement.&rdquo;
The outbreak, the 16th in the country&rsquo;s history, spread through the Bulape and Mweka regions of southwestern Kasai province, claiming 45 lives. Despite logistical hurdles in the remote area, WHO teams swiftly deployed medical workers, opened a 32-bed treatment centre, and vaccinated over 35,000 people, an intervention credited with halting transmission.
No new infections have been reported since September 25, raising hopes that the outbreak is nearing its end. For a nation that has battled Ebola for nearly five decades, this recovery signals not just medical progress but resilience. If the 42-day monitoring period passes without a new case, DR Congo will officially close another chapter in its long fight against one of the world&rsquo;s deadliest viruses.

With final patient discharged, DR Congo begins countdown to end its 16th Ebola outbreak

Last Ebola Patient Recovers in DR Congo

With final patient discharged, DR Congo begins countdown to end its 16th Ebola outbreak

October 20, 2025 | 09:29 IST