DRC Ebola response battles conflict, mistrust and testing delays
Published 1 July 2026 · science
The Democratic Republic of Congo is battling an Ebola outbreak centred in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, where scientists are working around the clock to
The Democratic Republic of Congo is battling an Ebola outbreak centred in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, where scientists are working around the clock to test blood samples.
Ethnic tensions between farming and herding communities are fuelling mistrust, delaying testing and hampering containment efforts. Health officials are working to cut laboratory result times from 48 hours to as little as one hour by deploying testing machines to major treatment centres.
There are cautious signs of progress, with more patients seeking treatment, falling death rates and improving recovery numbers. Al Jazeera's Catherine Soi reports from Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Find us on Check our website Check out our Instagram page Download AJE Mobile App
Published: July 1, 2026 • 3:05 PM IST · Updated: July 1, 2026 • 3:42 PM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points· Video
The Democratic Republic of Congo is battling an Ebola outbreak centred in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, where scientists are working around the clock to test blood samples.
Ethnic tensions between farming and herding communities are fuelling mistrust, delaying testing and hampering containment efforts.
Health officials are working to cut laboratory result times from 48 hours to as little as one hour by deploying testing machines to major treatment centres.
There are cautious signs of progress, with more patients seeking treatment, falling death rates and improving recovery numbers.
Al Jazeera's Catherine Soi reports from Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo.
The BriefWire