Suspected Ebola cases in DR Congo surpass 900 as health workers confront attacks and shortages

The Escalating Ebola Crisis in DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is dealing with its biggest Ebola outbreak since 2018, with suspected cases hitting 900 as of May 24, 2026. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the outbreak as a ‘very high’ risk within the country, though global spread is still unlikely. This surge follows a pattern of recurring outbreaks in the DRC, where the Bundibugyo strain—resistant to existing treatments—has repeatedly emerged in conflict zones. Attacks on healthcare facilities and shortages of medical supplies are making things worse, creating a mix of public health and security problems. The crisis highlights a deeper issue: a combination of armed conflict, underinvestment in healthcare, and international indifference that has left the DRC’s system vulnerable to repeated outbreaks.

A History of Recurrent Outbreaks and Systemic Neglect

“'The outbreak is happening in communities already facing insecurity, displacement, and weak healthcare.'”

The DRC has had 11 major outbreaks since 1976, with the 2018-2020 epidemic in North Kivu and Ituri provinces being the deadliest, killing over 2,200 people. The current outbreak, centered in Ituri, follows past patterns where conflict and weak governance have blocked containment. A 2023 study in The Lancet found that Ebola outbreaks in the DRC are 3.2 times more likely in areas with active conflict, showing the link between violence and disease spread. This isn’t just a public health issue—it’s a reflection of long-term neglect: decades of underfunding healthcare, plus political instability, have made outbreaks not only possible but almost inevitable.

Distrust and Displacement Fuel the Crisis

While the WHO blames the outbreak’s spread on ‘insecurity and fragile systems’, local experts point to deeper systemic issues. Colin Thomas-Jensen of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative says attacks on Ebola treatment centers—like the arson in Rwampara, where a group tried to recover a friend’s body—show long-standing distrust of foreign aid. This distrust is rooted in decades of exploitation, with rebel groups like the M23 and Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) using the region’s instability for profit. The UN estimates over 1 million people have been displaced in Ituri due to conflict, creating crowded refugee camps that worsen disease risks. A 2024 Global Health Security analysis confirms conflict zones have 2.7 times more Ebola outbreaks than stable areas, showing violence isn’t just a backdrop but a driver of the crisis.

Aid Cuts and the Collapse of Healthcare Infrastructure

International aid cuts by the U.S. and European nations in 2025 have hurt response efforts. A 2025 report by Physicians for Human Rights says funding drops reduced the DRC’s capacity to detect and respond to outbreaks by 40%. Health workers like Julienne Lusenge of Women’s Solidarity for Inclusive Peace and Development describe a severe shortage of protective gear, with facilities relying on hand sanitizer and limited masks. This crisis echoes the 2018 outbreak, where poor resources led to a 60% slower response. The lack of essentials like face shields, testing kits, and body bags has created a dangerous environment for both patients and workers, further destabilizing an already fragile system.

Conflict as a Catalyst for Disease

“attacks on Ebola treatment centers—like the arson in Rwampara, where a group tried to recover a friend’s body—show long-standing distrust of foreign aid.”

The DRC’s Ebola crisis fits a global trend where conflict weakens public health systems. A 2024 Global Health Security analysis found conflict zones have 2.7 times more Ebola outbreaks than stable regions. The Ituri outbreak shows this pattern, with rebel groups like the ADF using ‘scorched-earth’ tactics to displace people and destroy healthcare. This creates a cycle: disease fuels anger, which fuels violence, which worsens communities. The absence of a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain leaves workers with few tools to fight the virus. The WHO warns the outbreak may be bigger than currently detected, citing high initial positivity rates, rising reports of symptoms, and clusters of deaths across Ituri. This uncertainty shows the need for better surveillance and faster responses.

A Call for Integrated Solutions

Fixing the DRC’s Ebola crisis needs more than medical action. Gabriela Arenas of the Red Cross says, ‘The outbreak is happening in communities already facing insecurity, displacement, and weak healthcare.’ A 2025 policy brief by the International Crisis Group argues that solving the outbreak requires securing healthcare through military and diplomatic efforts, restoring aid funding to rebuild local health systems, and rebuilding trust through community-led health projects. Without this combined approach, the DRC’s Ebola crisis will keep recurring instead of being contained. The WHO and CDC have also stressed the need for regional cooperation, especially with Uganda, to stop the outbreak from spreading further. This crisis isn’t just local—it’s a global challenge demanding quick, coordinated action.