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In Congo, doctors face Ebola with little protection: 'We live with fear'

June 5, 2026 / 5:00 AM EDT / KFF Health News

In Congo, doctors face Ebola with little protection: 'We live with fear'

TL;DR

  • Healthcare facilities in Ituri province, DRC, lack basic protective equipment, tests, and clean water to combat the Ebola outbreak.
  • A 25-year-old midwife and a doctor are among those exhibiting Ebola symptoms, having cared for patients before the outbreak was confirmed.
  • The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, triggering global donations, but aid is insufficient on the ground.
  • Logistical challenges, including suspended flights and eroded roads, coupled with ongoing conflict, impede the delivery of essential medical supplies.
  • Dilapidated labs and reliance on basic tests delay accurate diagnosis, allowing the virus to spread undetected.
  • Violence and displacement due to armed groups create conditions favorable for Ebola transmission, with many contacts of infected individuals not being monitored.
  • Reduced U.S. involvement compared to past outbreaks, including withdrawal from WHO and downsizing of USAID, is cited as a factor in the slow response.
  • Community mistrust and trauma, combined with widespread malnutrition, hinder effective communication and acceptance of prevention measures.