Bunia, DRC (Running Africa) — Health officials and aid organizations are raising alarm over a growing public health crisis in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo after at least 30 people died in a displacement camp in Bunia since early May amid fears of a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak.
The deaths occurred in Kigonze camp, which shelters more than 15,000 internally displaced people. Many of the victims reportedly displayed symptoms consistent with Ebola, including high fever, severe headaches, vomiting, and weakness. While some cases have tested positive for the virus, health authorities say widespread resistance to testing has complicated efforts to determine the full extent of the outbreak.
Aid workers describe the mortality rate as highly unusual. Under normal circumstances, the camp records between one and three deaths per month. The sharp increase in fatalities has heightened concerns that Ebola may be spreading undetected among vulnerable populations already affected by conflict and displacement.
Efforts to contain the outbreak have been hampered by reluctance among some families to allow testing of sick relatives and deceased individuals. Public health experts warn that delayed diagnosis and limited surveillance can significantly increase the risk of transmission in densely populated communities.
Conditions within the camp have further intensified concerns. Overcrowding, inadequate sanitation facilities, and limited access to clean water have created an environment where infectious diseases can spread quickly. Humanitarian organizations report that many toilets are overwhelmed and hygiene infrastructure remains insufficient for the camp’s growing population.
The situation has been exacerbated by funding shortages affecting water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Aid groups say cuts to several international assistance programmes have reduced access to essential services, leaving thousands of displaced people at greater risk of disease outbreaks.
With more than five million internally displaced people living across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, health experts warn that the challenges facing Kigonze camp could be replicated elsewhere if urgent intervention is not mobilized.
The latest developments underscore the ongoing humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo, where conflict, displacement, and fragile health systems continue to create conditions that can accelerate the spread of deadly diseases such as Ebola.
