How DRC Is Fighting Ebola Amid War and Security Chaos in Eastern Congo

Executive summary

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is confronting its 17th Ebola outbreak since 1976. This epidemic, declared by the Ministry of Public Health on 15 May 2026, involves the Bundibugyo virus, a strain for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists. The outbreak began in Mongbwalu, a gold‑mining hub in Ituri province, where the movement of mine workers fuelled spread before cases were detected. By mid‑May, authorities reported hundreds of suspected cases and more than one hundred deaths across Ituri and neighbouring North Kivu; by 19 May the numbers had risen to over 543 suspected cases and 131 deaths.

Key facts

• The government activated its national emergency response on 15 May, deployed rapid response teams, and established provincial coordination and treatment centres. Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya stressed that Ebola is a viral disease, not mystical, and urged the public to follow barrier measures such as hand‑washing and avoiding physical contact.

  
  

• Surveillance and contact‑tracing are ongoing. More than 65 contacts were identified early in the outbreak, including 15 considered high‑risk. Follow‑up has been hampered by insecurity and population movements, but isolation and monitoring are being implemented.

  
  

• Treatment capacity is expanding. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs are erecting tents and opening new isolation centres in Bunia and other zones. An information hotline (151) and community outreach have been launched. President Félix Tshisekedi convened a crisis meeting and instructed ministers to strengthen the response.

  
  

• International partners, WHO, Africa CDC, UNICEF, MONUSCO, WFP, CDC and Médecins sans frontières (MSF), are supporting the response. WHO has airlifted supplies, deployed experts in epidemiology, contact tracing and infection prevention, and is helping with safe burials. Africa CDC convened a regional coordination meeting and is assisting with surveillance, laboratories and cross‑border collaboration. UNICEF mobilised nearly 50 t of infection‑control supplies and sent an emergency rapid‑response team to Bunia. MONUSCO has reinforced screening at mission clinics and is adapting its operations to support health authorities.

  
  

• Security challenges are severe. Ituri and North Kivu are plagued by armed groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and Rwanda‑backed M23, whose attacks have displaced communities and closed roads. The humanitarian situation restricts surveillance and contact tracing, while attacks on health facilities undermine trust. Border closures and checkpoints, such as the Goma–Rwanda crossing, have slowed commerce and risk unmonitored crossings. The United Nations warns that nearly nine million people in eastern DRC face crisis‑level hunger and that only 30 % of required health funding had been mobilised by mid‑May.

DRC’s history of managing Ebola, especially the 2018‑2020 North Kivu outbreak—has created a foundation of trained responders, laboratory networks and community outreach mechanisms.

This experience, coupled with rapid mobilisation of international support, positions the government to contain the Bundibugyo outbreak. However, success hinges on security, access and trust; health authorities and partners consistently stress that public health cannot be separated from peace and state authority.

Timeline of response actions

Despite the challenges, there is reason for cautious optimism. The DRC’s previous Ebola outbreaks have taught communities the importance of early reporting and safe practices. Rapid mobilisation of international partners has brought supplies, expertise and global attention. Communities are adapting; radio broadcasts in local languages remind listeners to seek care, and many families have begun using ash or soap to clean their hands. If armed groups allow health workers safe passage and funding continues, the DRC could once again demonstrate its capacity to overcome one of the world’s deadliest viruses.