INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE, U.K.

Ebola Outbreak in DRC: Fear, Misinformation, and Conflict Hamper Containment as Cases Surpass 340

- As of the latest reports, over 340 confirmed Ebola cases and 60 deaths have been recorded across more than 20 health zones in the DRC, with the outbreak crossing into neighboring Uganda. - Frontline doctors describe an environment "marked by fear, urgency, uncertainty," where community distrust and misinformation lead patients to delay seeking care and resist isolation measures. - Active armed conflict and population displacement in the Ituri region severely limit contact tracing, with the International Rescue Committee noting only about 20% of contacts are currently being traced. - Health officials report that treatment centers were overwhelmed, forcing some suspected cases to be turned away, though international aid has since mobilized to scale up response efforts.