Weeks after the Ebola outbreak began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is stepping up its efforts to contain the virus. Our teams take you inside their treatment centres in Goma and Bunia, in Ituri province, the epicentre of this seventeenth epidemic.
Epidemiological toll continues to rise
With increased testing capacity in late May, the DRC Ministry of Health updated its figures. As of 4 June 2026, the official tally from the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) stands at:
- 381 confirmed cases
- 64 confirmed deaths
- 233 suspected patients currently in isolation
In Uganda, the situation remains under watch with 19 reported cases and one death as of 5 June.
MSF opens and rehabilitates Ebola treatment centres
To combat the spread of the Bundibugyo virus and break transmission chains, MSF teams are adapting their response in the hardest-hit areas.
Bunia: a centre expanding amid patient influx
In Bunia, the centre is facing overcrowding. On 5 June, it held 37 suspected and 7 confirmed patients. Given the risk of further spread, the facility is being enlarged. “We are preparing a new plot and will double our capacity to 70 beds within days,” says Anthony Kergosien, emergency coordinator in Bunia. If needed, the centre can expand to 100 beds.
Goma: reopening a historic centre
In Goma, MSF has reopened a dedicated treatment centre to isolate suspected cases and treat confirmed patients. The first admissions took place on 28 May. “This centre was used in previous outbreaks. Teams first talk with patients, reassure them about what will happen, explain the care process, average length of stay, and the samples that will be taken,” says Tathy Modjaka Nzoko, MSF medical activity manager in Goma.
Staff safety and community trust: pillars of the response
Protecting healthcare workers from the virus
Medical staff are equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure effective protection against the Bundibugyo virus. Its infectious dose is extremely low. “Just a few viral particles in the wrong place, like the eyes or mouth, can trigger the disease,” explains Armand Sprecher, an emergency physician and epidemiologist with MSF. The PPE is designed to keep the Ebola virus off the skin. “It must be waterproof because the virus is transmitted through bodily fluids. This is especially critical because we do not have the vaccines and treatments we usually rely on.”
Building trust with local communities
For patients to accept rapid isolation, explanation and awareness-raising are essential. “Trust between MSF and the local population is key. People usually care for their family at home, but we need them to come immediately to a treatment centre. The fact that our equipment makes us look like visitors from another planet can make them reluctant. We explain why we wear this gear and that many of those in these suits are people they know,” says Armand Sprecher.
Transferring skills and training teams
To ensure a large-scale response, MSF emphasises expertise sharing. Specific training is provided, including at a centre in Belgium before teams deploy to the field. “With every Ebola outbreak, knowledge transfer is a major part of the response. We have people within MSF with extensive outbreak experience. We send these skilled individuals to the field, where they either lead or train others,” says Sprecher.
Understanding the Bundibugyo virus: this outbreak’s specifics
Unlike previous waves in the DRC, this outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola (part of the orthoebolavirus family, which also includes Zaire and Sudan viruses). Although its case fatality rate (25–40%) is lower than that of classic Ebola, the medical response faces a major challenge: there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for this specific strain.
MSF’s humanitarian work continues across the country
Hundreds of MSF professionals remain deployed in the affected areas of Ituri and North Kivu, while new care capacities are being organised in South Kivu. Each week, several tonnes of medical and logistic supplies continue to arrive in the DRC from our international centres to support the intervention.
