Outbreak Escalates with 904 Suspected Cases and 119 Deaths

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported 904 suspected Ebola cases and 119 suspected deaths as of Sunday, according to a post by the DRC’s ministry of communication on X. This marks a sharp increase from the previous announcement of more than 700 suspected cases and 170 suspected deaths, primarily in Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak.

Challenges in Containing the Outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the outbreak as a “very high” risk for the DRC, though it has stated the risk of global spread remains low. Despite this. Health authorities are struggling to contain the outbreak, which has been declared a global health emergency.

Eastern DRC has seen arson attacks on two Ebola treatment centers in recent weeks, reflecting the anger in a region already plagued by violence from armed rebel groups, displacement of thousands, and international aid cuts. Colin Thomas-Jensen of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative said the attacks may stem from local skepticism and anger over years of violence and inadequate government and international protection.

Strict protocols around the burial of suspected Ebola victims have also fueled resentment — Health authorities now take control of burials to prevent further spread of the virus during traditional funerals, where families typically prepare the bodies. In the town of Rwampara. A group of young men set fire to an Ebola center in an attempt to retrieve a friend’s body, according to police and witnesses, who said the crowd accused the foreign aid group of lying about the disease.

Security and Aid Challenges Complicate Response

In response. Authorities in north-eastern DRC have banned funeral wakes and gatherings of more than 50 people, with armed soldiers and police now guarding some burials carried out by aid workers. Eastern DRC has long been a hotspot for rebel groups, some of which have ties to foreign countries or the Islamic State — the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels control parts of the region, while the Ugandan Islamist group Allied Democratic Forces remains a dominant presence in Ituri province.

Before the outbreak. Doctors Without Borders noted that insecurity in Ituri had worsened, with many doctors and nurses fleeing their posts, though the UN humanitarian office reported that almost 1 million people have been displaced in the region due to the conflict. Gabriela Arenas of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the Ebola outbreak is unfolding in communities already dealing with insecurity, displacement, and fragile health systems.

Health experts have linked the current crisis to international aid cuts last year by the US and other wealthy nations. Thomas McHale of Physicians for Human Rights said these cuts “reduced the capacity to detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.” The DRC has experienced more than a dozen previous Ebola outbreaks, compounding the challenges of this latest one.

Aid groups on the ground report severe shortages of essential equipment, including face shields, protective suits, testing kits, and body bags for safe burials. Julienne Lusenge. President of Women’s Solidarity for Inclusive Peace and Development, said her organization has not received the requested supplies and is only providing hand sanitiser and a few masks to nurses. The Bundibugyo type of Ebola virus, responsible for this outbreak, has no approved vaccine or treatment, further complicating efforts to contain it.