Health 20 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ebola fears rise in Congo camp with over 30 unexplained deaths
An unprecedented number of deaths, with at least 30 recorded since May in a single Congolese camp, are raising concerns about a potential rapid spread of Ebola. Families' refusal to allow testing on the living and deceased has complicated confirmation efforts. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/at-least-30-deaths-at-congo-camp-show-ebola-could-be-spreading-fast-5503482
An alarming spike in deaths at Kigonze camp, home to over 15,000 displaced people in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is fueling fears of an escalating Ebola outbreak. Officials and aid workers report at least 30 fatalities since the beginning of May, a rate significantly higher than the typical one to three deaths per month previously seen in the camp.
While definitive confirmation for all cases is pending due to community resistance towards testing, both on living patients and deceased individuals, several sources indicate that many victims exhibited symptoms consistent with Ebola, including fever, headaches, and vomiting. Some test results from recent victims have reportedly come back positive for the deadly virus.
The situation is exacerbated by severely inadequate water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH) conditions within the camp. Reports highlight overflowing latrines and cramped living conditions, where families live in close proximity, creating an environment ripe for disease transmission. This is compounded by a significant reduction in funding for WASH projects, with UN data showing a more than 50% decrease between 2024 and 2025.
Aid organizations funded by the United States have reported scaled-back or eliminated WASH projects in Ebola-affected provinces, despite Washington remaining a key supporter of direct Ebola funding. The reduction in basic services like clean water access and functional toilets leaves vulnerable populations more exposed to infectious diseases like Ebola, complicating efforts to contain the outbreak in a region already struggling with displacement due to ongoing conflict.