Rapid Risk Assessment: Outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Equateur province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

An outbreak of Ebola virus disease has been evolving in the Equateur province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since the beginning of August 2014. As of 4 September 2014, 72 cases had been reported, including 48 deaths. The epidemiological features of this outbreak are consistent with previous outbreaks of Ebola virus disease caused by Zaïre ebolavirus. The viral strain isolated from this outbreak is distinctly different from the strain isolated in the ongoing West Africa outbreak. There is no epidemiological evidence linking the two events.

As the incubation period can be up to three weeks, it is likely that additional cases will be identified in the affected zone during the coming weeks. However, control measures currently being implemented with the support of international partners are expected to prevent further spread of the disease.

Given that the affected area is remote and not a tourist destination, it is unlikely that travellers from the EU will be exposed and become infected in the outbreak area. It is also unlikely that people residing in the outbreak area will travel to the EU while incubating the virus and develop the disease upon arrival. 

Risk mitigation measures for this outbreak are the same as for the ongoing outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa.