Misinformation Overshadows Ebola Fight as DRC Outbreak Spreads

Locals in eastern DRC's Ituri and North Kivu say misinformation about Ebola—along with delayed response and lax mask use—is hampering containment as the outbreak grows. The WHO reports about 177 deaths and roughly 750 suspected cases, with cases spreading to Bunia and Goma and nearby Uganda. Traditional funerals, ongoing conflict, and displacement further strain health systems, risking broader crises beyond Ebola. Aid funding gaps and underfunded clinics complicate the response, while officials emphasize building trust with communities and keeping essential health services running as vaccine and treatment efforts continue.