Democratic Republic of Congo government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya has defended the country’s handling of the latest Ebola outbreak, insisting that Congolese authorities remain experienced, fully mobilized, and capable of containing the virus despite concerns over delayed detection and ongoing insecurity in eastern Congo.
Speaking in an interview with CNN International, Muyaya acknowledged public concern surrounding the rapid spread of the outbreak but stressed that the current strain differs from previous Ebola variants the country has faced over the years.
“This is the 17th time the DRC is facing this kind of outbreak. We have experience, ” Muyaya said during the interview. “We have the best specialists on all those questions.”
DRC Says New Ebola Strain Presented Different Symptoms
During the CNN discussion, Muyaya explained that the outbreak initially proved difficult to identify because the symptoms resembled more common illnesses such as malaria.
According to him, many patients initially presented with fever and other symptoms not immediately associated with Ebola, particularly because the current Bundibugyo strain differs from the more lethal Zaire strain that Congo has previously confronted.
“Each virus, each outbreak is different from the previous one,” Muyaya said. “People were thinking that it was a mystic sickness coming from nowhere.”
The government spokesperson argued that once health authorities confirmed the nature of the outbreak, emergency response mechanisms were immediately activated.
He said the response is now being coordinated directly by the Health Ministry alongside renowned Congolese virologist Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe and specialized response teams deployed on the ground.
EBOLA OUTBREAK
Patrick Muyaya Says DRC Has Experience to Contain Ebola Outbreak
May 21, 2026
May 21, 2026
7 min read
Published
Updated:
Democratic Republic of Congo government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya has defended the country’s handling of the latest Ebola outbreak, insisting that Congolese authorities remain experienced, fully mobilized, and capable of containing the virus despite concerns over delayed detection and ongoing insecurity in eastern Congo.
Speaking in an interview with CNN International, Muyaya acknowledged public concern surrounding the rapid spread of the outbreak but stressed that the current strain differs from previous Ebola variants the country has faced over the years.
“This is the 17th time the DRC is facing this kind of outbreak. We have experience,” Muyaya said during the interview. “We have the best specialists on all those questions.”
DRC Says New Ebola Strain Presented Different Symptoms
During the CNN discussion, Muyaya explained that the outbreak initially proved difficult to identify because the symptoms resembled more common illnesses such as malaria.
According to him, many patients initially presented with fever and other symptoms not immediately associated with Ebola, particularly because the current Bundibugyo strain differs from the more lethal Zaire strain that Congo has previously confronted.
“Each virus, each outbreak is different from the previous one,” Muyaya said. “People were thinking that it was a mystic sickness coming from nowhere.”
The government spokesperson argued that once health authorities confirmed the nature of the outbreak, emergency response mechanisms were immediately activated.
He said the response is now being coordinated directly by the Health Ministry alongside renowned Congolese virologist Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe and specialized response teams deployed on the ground.
Contact Tracing and Treatment Efforts Intensified
Muyaya told CNN that Congolese authorities are currently conducting large-scale investigations and contact tracing operations in affected areas.
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According to figures provided during the interview:
69 patients are currently under treatment,
over 500 suspected cases are under investigation,
and specialized Ebola units remain operational in Ituri and North Kivu provinces.
He added that the outbreak remains concentrated in several areas of Ituri, as well as in Goma and Butembo in North Kivu.
The government says daily situation reports are being released to maintain transparency and public awareness.
“Everything is now being followed closely, even by the president himself,” Muyaya stated.
Public Prevention Campaigns Expanded
The Congolese government has also intensified public prevention campaigns aimed at limiting transmission.
Muyaya urged citizens to:
wash hands regularly,
avoid crowded places,
report symptoms early,
and follow public health guidelines.
He emphasized that prevention and public awareness remain essential while medical teams continue researching treatment options and response mechanisms for the current strain.
“That’s the way we can stop the transmission of the virus,” he explained.
DRC Highlights Long Experience Fighting Ebola
Throughout the interview, Muyaya repeatedly stressed that the DRC possesses one of the world’s most experienced Ebola response systems due to repeated outbreaks over the past decades.
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The country gained international recognition during previous epidemics, particularly the 2018–2020 North Kivu outbreak, which led to the development of:
specialized rapid-response teams,
laboratory networks,
surveillance systems,
and vaccine research programs led by Congolese scientists.
Muyaya also emphasized that Congolese experts are optimistic about eventually developing treatment and vaccine solutions adapted to the current strain.
Security Crisis in Eastern Congo Complicates Response
A major part of the interview focused on the impact of insecurity in eastern Congo on public health operations.
Muyaya specifically raised concerns about Goma, which he described as being under “Rwandan occupation” linked to AFC/M23 control.
According to the government spokesperson, the security situation complicates logistics, border management, and access to treatment for populations in affected areas.
“If we need to follow closely what is going on in Goma, Rwanda should just get out from DRC,” Muyaya declared.
He criticized Rwanda’s decision to close parts of the border while the airport in Goma remains shut, arguing that such conditions make humanitarian and health coordination more difficult.
The remarks reflect Kinshasa’s broader position that the security crisis and public health crisis in eastern Congo are increasingly interconnected.
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Appeal for International Support
While defending the country’s experience and preparedness, Muyaya acknowledged that the DRC still requires logistical support from international partners.
He said assistance is particularly needed for:
transportation,
medical logistics,
prevention campaigns,
treatment infrastructure,
and scientific research.
However, he insisted that the DRC already possesses the technical expertise required to manage the outbreak itself.
“Any assistance coming from international partners is welcome,” he said, adding that support would help authorities “provide the treatment and even the vaccine for this strain.”
“We Will Contain the Virus”
Despite concerns surrounding the outbreak, Muyaya projected confidence that the situation can ultimately be controlled.
The government spokesperson concluded the interview by stressing that Congo’s accumulated experience from previous Ebola crises gives authorities confidence in their ability to contain the virus once again.
“We will be able to manage and contain the virus as we did for the 16 previous ones,” he told CNN International.
The outbreak continues to be closely monitored by Congolese authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO), and international health partners as emergency teams remain deployed across affected regions in eastern DRC.
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