As eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo battles a fast-moving Ebola outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, health workers are racing to contain the spread in a region already shaken by conflict, displacement and fragile health systems. The outbreak, centred in Ituri province, has prompted the World Health Organization to declare an international health emergency. Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks, there is currently no approved vaccine for this strain.
Dr Paul Khomba, a Congolese physician working for EU humanitarian aid, is helping oversee the emergency response carried out by humanitarian partners in and around the city of Bunia.
Working closely with local health authorities and frontline medical teams, he helps coordinate rapid response efforts ranging from treatment centres and surveillance to community outreach and infection prevention. He speaks about the challenges of responding to an outbreak in the middle of an ongoing humanitarian crisis.
What is the situation on the ground right now?
Paul: The situation is very serious. In some areas, patients are seeking treatment too late, after trying to manage symptoms at home for several days. Many health facilities are overwhelmed. Some treatment centres do not have enough:
- protective equipment
- isolation space
- trained staff
We are also dealing with insecurity and population movements, which makes surveillance even more difficult. This Ebola outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently no approved vaccine. That creates uncertainty and fear for both communities and health workers.
What are the biggest challenges for doctors and response teams?
Paul: Some families are afraid to bring relatives to treatment centres because they believe they will never come back. Others resist safe burial procedures, which are essential because Ebola remains highly contagious after death. In some places, health facilities have even been attacked by angry residents. Misinformation and rumours about the response are also spreading on social media and in communities.
At the same time, many people are exhausted and frustrated. Communities here have lived through years of conflict, displacement and disease outbreaks.
So the work of our partners is not only medical — it is also about listening, explaining and rebuilding confidence every day.
What does treatment actually look like for Ebola patients?
Paul: People often think there is little doctors can do for Ebola patients, but that is not true. Health staff can already focus on:
- hydration
- oxygen
- stabilising blood pressure
- monitoring patients
The earlier patients arrive, the better their chances.
But because symptoms initially resemble malaria or typhoid - fever, weakness, vomiting - many patients wait too long before seeking help.
Response teams are also tracing contacts, monitoring suspected cases and educating families.
Infection prevention and surveillance are just as important as treatment itself. In the event of a suspected death or a confirmed illness, safe and respectful burial procedures are essential. This is when communities must work together and trust health workers.
How is EU humanitarian support helping the response?
Paul: The European Union has allocated €15 million to support Ebola response and preparedness efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, as neighbouring countries remain at risk. The funding is helping humanitarian partners deploy emergency medical teams, protective equipment, mobile clinics and infection prevention supplies very quickly. It also supports surveillance, logistics and outreach efforts in affected communities.
One of the most important elements is air support. EU-funded humanitarian flights are helping transport medical supplies, laboratory equipment and protective gear into affected areas, while also allowing emergency personnel to reach remote locations faster. In eastern Congo, where roads are often damaged, insecure or simply inaccessible during the rainy season, these flights are essential for keeping the response operational.
In outbreaks like this, speed matters. If you lose time, the virus spreads silently. The support is also helping local health workers continue operating in places where health systems were already under enormous pressure before Ebola arrived.
What message would you want people outside Congo to hear?
Paul: This is not only a Congolese problem. Diseases do not respect borders. The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has already warned that the risk of further spread in the region remains high and neighbouring countries are on alert.
But beyond the numbers, this is about people — families losing loved ones, communities living with fear and health workers doing everything they can to contain the outbreak.
The world cannot afford to look away until this becomes a larger regional crisis.
Early action saves lives. The faster we support communities and frontline responders now, the better our chances of stopping this outbreak before it spreads further.
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak - map
