The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has worsened, creating high health risks and supply shortages in Bunia, capital of the northeastern Ituri Province that is the epicenter of the ongoing Ebola outbreak, and making life increasingly difficult for residents.
An Ebola outbreak was declared in Ituri on May 15, with Bunia among the main areas affected. It has since spread to the neighboring North Kivu and South Kivu Provinces. Uganda, which borders Ituri, has also reported confirmed cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said the epidemic constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday that the situation in the DRC was "deeply worrisome," citing 82 confirmed cases and seven confirmed deaths.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rarer species of Ebola-causing virus that does not yet have an approved vaccine or treatment, so masks, handwashing, and disinfection remain key defenses against its spread.
However, Bunia is facing a shortage of protective supplies, including masks and hand sanitizer, posing significant challenges to epidemic control efforts.
Meanwhile, at a local market, vendors said the outbreak is impacting their businesses, as people increasingly stay indoors to prevent spreading the virus.
"Ebola is here. I'm wearing my face mask. I pray that this disease will pass. I'm losing a lot of money every day," said Mamy Ulungu, a fruit seller.
With the risk of cross-border transmission growing, neighboring countries, including Rwanda and Uganda, have tightened transport restrictions and border controls, resulting in a notable decline in the flow of goods and personnel into Bunia and further exacerbating the local economic and livelihood crisis.
The government of the DRC has also temporarily suspended all passenger flights to and from Bunia.
Uganda's Ministry of Health said Saturday that three new Ebola cases had been confirmed in the country, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to five. "Uganda is our neighboring country, and Bunia isn't too far from the border. And they've just imposed a two-week ban on public transport. There are no buses, there's no traffic in fact," said Zacharis Asimoni, a resident in Bunia.
Ebola outbreak creates health, economic crises in DR Congo
