On 4 September 2025, an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak caused by the Zaire ebolavirus species was declared in the Kasai Province, Bulape Health district, with at least 42 cases reported (including 20 cases laboratory-confirmed cases ); 16 people have died (CFR 38%), including 4 health care workers. This is the 16th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The first known index case was a pregnant woman who presented at Bulape General Reference Hospital on 20 August 2025 with symptoms of high fever, bloody diarrhoea, haemorrhage and extreme weakness. She died on 25 August from multiple organ failure. The source of acquisition is unknown.
The affected region, located several hundred kilometers south of Kinshasa, is difficult to raccess due to poor road infrastructure. International organisations have arrived on site. Containment efforts are currently complicated by unsafe burial practices and limited contact tracing (currently only about 19%), as people are fleeing to other areas. For details, see references below.
The last EVD outbreak documented in the DRC was in August 2022, in Beni Health Zone, North Kivu province, but concerned only one case. In the same year, other five cases had been reported from Mbandaka city, Equateur province. In 2007 and 2008, there were EVD outbreaks affecting Kasai province, including the Bulape and Mweka health zones in 2007. In the country overall, there have been 15 outbreaks since the disease was first identified in 1976.
Map of affected health zone, as of 4 September 2025:
Follow media and official reports.
The affected area is difficult to access, making the risk for travellers very low. People visiting the affected area should follow these precautions:
General preventive measures:
Vaccination against Ebola is not available for travelers. For humanitarian missions, consultation with a travel medicine specialist is recommended to assess vaccinations options (Ebola vaccination is available at the University Hospital in Geneva).
While in the outbreak area and for 21 days after leaving:
In case of symptoms such as fever >38° C, headache, diarrhea, bleeding symptoms etc. during travel and until 21 days after being in the affected area:
More than 1’300 hepatitis A cases have been reported in 2025, including two deaths. The largest numbers of cases have been recorded in Prague (436), Central Bohemia (202), and the Moravian-Silesian Region (118).
The outbreak is most pronounced among young children in socially excluded communities, but cases are also occurring among homeless people and residents of hostels and similar facilities.
Also neighboring countries see an increase of hepatitis A cases, see EpiNews 24.7.2025.
Measles outbreaks are currently being reported in multiple countries worldwide.
Measles spread quickly and can be dangerous - protection is simple: get vaccinated!
Swiss recommendations: All persons born after 1963 who have no documented protection against the infection (antibodies or 2 documented vaccinations) should be vaccinated twice with MMR vaccine at one month interval. In the event of an epidemic in the region or contact with a measles case, vaccination is recommended from the age of 6 months.
A 68-year-old man from Tonila, Jalisco, contracted rabies after being bitten by a cow in May 2025.
Although Mexico became the first country in the world to receive validation from WHO for eliminating dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem. (Mexico is free from human rabies transmitted by dogs), the virus circulates in the country:
In 2024, rabies was confirmed in 257 cattle, 14 horses, 6 sheep, 1 goat, 23 hematophagous bats (Desmodus rotundus), 3 insectivorous bats, and 1 frugivorous bat.
Prevention: Avoid contact with animals and do not feed them! Travelers are advised to get a pre-exposure vaccination, especially those at higher risk, such as individuals working with animals, riding two-wheelers, visiting remote areas, young children, cave explorers, or anyone who may come into contact with bats.
Behavior after exposure: After an animal bite/scratch: immediately wash the wound with water and soap for 15 minutes, then disinfect and in any case visit a high-quality medical center for post-exposure vaccination as soon as possible!
A measles outbreak in East Java, Indonesia, has caused 17 deaths, mostly among children, with 16 of those deaths occurring in Sumenep district. Media reports, citing the Sumenep District Health Agency, say that 16 of the deceased were not immunized and one had not finished the vaccination series.
As of 17 Aug 2025, a total of 2035 cases have been reported in Sumenep since the start of 2025, primarily affecting children under seven years old.
Measles outbreaks are currently being reported in multiple countries worldwide.
Measles spread quickly and can be dangerous - protection is simple: get vaccinated!
Swiss recommendations: All persons born after 1963 who have no documented protection against the infection (antibodies or 2 documented vaccinations) should be vaccinated twice with MMR vaccine at one month interval. In the event of an epidemic in the region or contact with a measles case, vaccination is recommended from the age of 6 months.
Optimal mosquito protection 24/7, also in cities (also against other mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, dengue).
Two vaccines against chikungunya are licensed in Europe but not yet in Switzerland: Vimkunya® (virus-like particle vaccine) and Ixchiq® (live-attenuated vaccine. The Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine is currently preparing a statement. The US CDC has published the recommendations, see LINK.
In case of fever:
0
