Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo are grappling with a fresh Ebola outbreak in Kasai province, the first in the region in almost two decades. The World Health Organization (WHO) says the response is being hampered by limited access to remote communities and inadequate funding.

Since the outbreak was confirmed in early September, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has reported a sharp rise in suspected infections — climbing from 28 to 68 cases within days — with 16 deaths recorded so far.

To bolster the response, a United Nations peacekeeping helicopter recently delivered several hundred doses of the Ebola vaccine to affected areas. WHO officials say an additional 1,500 doses will be dispatched from Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, to expand vaccination coverage.

The resurgence of Ebola in southern Congo has also drawn attention to shrinking international support. Recent U.S. funding cuts have raised concern among global health partners. Washington had played a critical role in previous outbreak responses, including in 2021 when the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided up to $11.5 million to support interventions across Africa.

Officials warn that without sustained funding and logistical support, efforts to contain the outbreak in Kasai may face significant setbacks, especially given the province’s remoteness and weak health infrastructure.