The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is confronting its 17th Ebola outbreak, with Ituri as the current epicenter. This remote province, plagued by armed conflict, now faces a deadly health emergency. Official figures confirm 1,048 infections and 267 deaths, yielding a staggering 25.5% fatality rate. While the virus has spread across three eastern provinces, neighboring Uganda has also reported 20 cases, including two fatalities.

President’s direct intervention

“I will soon travel to Ituri to personally oversee the response,” declared President Tshisekedi during an official meeting in Kinshasa with Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye. Though no specific date has been set, his pledge underscores the gravity of the crisis. This particular outbreak stems from the Bundibugyo virus, for which no vaccine or treatment currently exists—unlike the more common Zaire strain responsible for most historic Ebola epidemics.

Over the past half-century, Ebola has claimed over 15,000 lives across Africa, making this the continent’s deadliest outbreak since the 2014-2016 West Africa crisis.

Healthcare system under strain

In Ituri, the response has struggled to gain momentum. Despite gradual reinforcements, local hospitals remain critically under-equipped, lacking essential supplies such as protective gear and chlorine over a month after the outbreak’s declaration. Treatment centers established with support from the World Health Organization and NGOs are already operating at over 80% capacity, according to health authorities.

While testing capabilities have improved, humanitarian organizations warn that official figures likely understate the true scale of the outbreak. They predict the crisis could persist for six to twelve months, with the virus spreading through bodily fluids.