Trish Newport, emergency programme manager for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)’s Ebola response in Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo, confirmed during a recent briefing that the region is experiencing a “sharp rise” in suspected Ebola cases, with over 120 new alerts recorded in the past three weeks. The surge, she stated, is concentrated in remote health zones where MSF has deployed mobile treatment units to address gaps in local healthcare infrastructure.
Newport, who has led MSF’s containment efforts in the DRC since 2023, emphasized that the current outbreak is occurring amid persistent challenges, including community mistrust of health workers and logistical hurdles in reaching isolated populations. “We are working closely with local authorities to establish safe burial practices and expand contact tracing, but the density of cross-border movements in Ituri complicates our efforts,” she said. The region, bordering Uganda and South Sudan, has seen increased population mobility due to ongoing conflicts in neighboring areas, according to a May 2024 report by the International Organization for Migration.
Health officials in the DRC’s Ministry of Health reported 42 confirmed Ebola cases in Ituri as of May 18, with 18 fatalities. The virus has resurfaced in the same province where a 2023 outbreak claimed 57 lives, though authorities have not yet declared a public health emergency. MSF has deployed 150 staff members to the region, including epidemiologists and community engagement specialists, to support local health centers and conduct awareness campaigns.
International aid groups have raised concerns about funding shortfalls for the response. The World Health Organization (WHO) noted in a May 15 statement that only 60% of the $150 million required for the DRC’s Ebola preparedness plan has been secured. “Without sustained financial support, the risk of further transmission remains high,” said Dr. Jean-Hugues Gomis, WHO’s regional director for Africa. MSF has called on donors to prioritize the DRC’s response, citing the “urgent need to prevent a regional spread.”
Local leaders in Ituri have reiterated their commitment to the containment effort, with Governor Vital Mbuyi stating in a May 17 press conference that “the government is doubling down on measures to protect our people.” However, some community representatives have criticized the lack of transparency in case reporting, urging authorities to share data more openly. A survey conducted by the DRC-based NGO CENAVI in April found that 43% of residents in Ituri’s health zones distrust official health communications.
MSF’s response includes a mobile vaccination campaign targeting high-risk areas, with a focus on children under five and frontline workers. The organization has also established a 50-bed treatment center in Bunia, the provincial capital, which has seen a 30% increase in patient admissions since mid-May. Newport described the facility as “a critical hub for isolating cases and providing care,” though she acknowledged that “demand continues to outpace capacity.”
The DRC’s Ebola response is further complicated by the presence of multiple other pathogens, including cholera and measles, which have strained the country’s already fragile healthcare system. A May 16 report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) noted that 1.2 million children in the DRC are at risk of malnutrition, exacerbating vulnerabilities to infectious diseases.
As of May 19, MSF has scheduled a regional coordination meeting with Congolese health officials and international partners to review the response strategy. The meeting, set for May 24 in Kinshasa, will focus on scaling up community outreach and securing additional funding, according to an MSF spokesperson.
