Ebola Outbreak in DRC: At Least 30 Dead Amid Fears of Widespread Transmission Kampala, Uganda – At least 30 people have died in Kigonze camp in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), since the start of May 2026, with symptoms indicative of Ebola.
The rapid death toll has sparked concerns that the virus could be spreading undetected among the camp’s displaced population.
The outbreak has been declared since May 15, 2026, and has already taken a heavy toll on healthcare workers.
Seventeen have died from the virus, and 75 have been infected.
The DRC’s healthcare system is struggling to cope, with some facilities facing shortages of basic protective equipment such as gloves, masks, and other essentials necessary to prevent infection. Camp officials in Kigonze expressed concern over the unprecedented death rate, noting that the symptoms, which include headaches, fever, and vomiting, are characteristic of Ebola.
Despite efforts to test individuals for the virus, many patients or their relatives have refused, making it difficult to confirm the cause of death.
The World Health Organization (WHO) emergency director, Marie Roseline Belizaire, emphasized the seriousness of the outbreak, noting that it is evolving rapidly. Officials commented on the matter.
The DRC has long been weakened by conflict, displacement, and chronic underfunding, which has compromised its healthcare system’s ability to respond effectively to health crises.
The current Ebola outbreak is further compounded by the presence of the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which has been spreading for months before the government’s formal announcement.
The situation is particularly concerning in camps for displaced people, where overcrowding, poor sanitation, and resistance to testing could allow the virus to spread undetected.
The deaths in Kigonze, which houses more than 15,000 residents, raise fears that the virus may be circulating among eastern DRC’s over 5 million displaced people.
The outbreak is also raising international alarm, with African Union member states having pledged nearly $1 billion to respond to the emergency in eastern DRC and neighboring Uganda, which has confirmed 19 cases and two deaths.
The WHO has begun vaccination efforts in the DRC, aiming to protect frontline healthcare workers and contacts of people infected with Ebola.
The Ervebo Ebola vaccine is being administered through a ring vaccination strategy, which entails vaccinating individuals at the highest risk of infection after having come into contact with a patient confirmed with the virus.
As the outbreak continues to evolve, the international community and regional authorities are working tirelessly to contain the spread of the virus and provide necessary support to the affected populations.
However, the situation remains critical, with fears that the virus could spread further unless effective measures are taken to control the outbreak.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Google News v2
