BUNIA, DR Congo — Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo are struggling to isolate people suspected of having Ebola as a fast-growing outbreak spreads through the country’s east, raising fears that limited treatment capacity, insecurity and community mistrust could accelerate transmission.
The outbreak, centred in Ituri province, involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. The World Health Organization has raised the national risk level in DR Congo to “very high,” warning that the virus may have circulated undetected for weeks before it was officially confirmed.
As of the latest WHO-linked figures, DR Congo has reported 82 confirmed cases, seven confirmed deaths, about 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths. The suspected case count has risen sharply in recent days, putting pressure on isolation units and response teams already operating with limited equipment and staff.
Health workers say one of the main challenges is separating suspected patients quickly enough to stop further spread. Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people or contaminated materials, making rapid isolation, contact tracing and safe burials essential. But in affected areas, many health facilities lack adequate protective equipment, dedicated isolation space and trained personnel.
Authorities have announced restrictions on funeral wakes and large gatherings, including a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people, as part of efforts to reduce high-risk contact. Burial practices remain a major flashpoint. Earlier this week, protesters torched tents at an Ebola treatment centre in Rwampara after relatives were denied access to the body of a suspected Ebola victim.
The outbreak has also spread beyond its original epicentre. A confirmed case was reported in South Kivu, far from Ituri, including in areas affected by armed group activity where health surveillance is weaker and communication with government authorities is limited.
International partners are moving to support the response. The United Nations and the United States have pledged emergency funding, while health agencies are preparing treatment centres and expanding surveillance. But aid groups warn that response teams are under-equipped and that the outbreak may be larger than official figures suggest.
Uganda has confirmed two cases linked to movement from DR Congo, prompting regional concern, although health officials say contact tracing and restrictions on mass gatherings have helped limit spread there.
For Congolese health workers, the immediate priority is clear: isolate suspected patients faster, rebuild public trust and contain the virus before it spreads deeper into conflict-affected areas.
