Bunia Faces Unprecedented Health Crisis

Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Arriving in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, you can’t help but notice the unusual atmosphere. It’s evident these are not typical times.

Getting out of the airport takes a bit longer than usual due to mandatory health checks. As you drive towards your hotel, you’re greeted by billboards promoting Ebola prevention. The radio broadcasts are filled with public health messages aimed at keeping the community safe.

By the time the World Health Organization designated the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May, the virus had already been spreading unnoticed for weeks in mining areas like Mongbwalu and Rwampara, eventually reaching Bunia and other neighboring regions.

This outbreak stems from the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which, while generally considered less lethal than some other strains, poses a significant challenge because there is no approved vaccine. Quick diagnosis is essential.

Our first stop was the Ebola treatment center at Bunia General Hospital, which was originally designed for 50 patients but was already at full capacity, with plans in motion to add another 86 beds.

John Katabuka, the hospital director, explained that this strain manifests differently compared to past outbreaks. “Clinically, it strikes without obvious symptoms. We used to think of Ebola as fever and bleeding, but in this case, symptoms appear only at the final stage, almost too late to help. It’s insidious.”

We encountered a man named Tresor, who requested that we keep his identity concealed. His wife had recently tested positive for Ebola, and he could only see her from a distance while waiting for his own test results.

“Education is crucial. People need to understand that this virus is real. We shouldn’t dismiss it,” he shared earnestly.

The Congolese government is spearheading the response, working alongside various partners, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the United Nations.

Diedonne Mwamba, leading the National Institute of Public Health, highlighted that this is about much more than just a health crisis. Over 1.3 million people are currently living in displacement camps due to ongoing conflict.

“We face serious challenges in managing these situations. To contain the outbreak, we must trace contacts—some of whom are in camps—and often we have to reach inaccessible locations. Collaborating with local authorities is essential,” he noted.

We then traveled to Rwampara, roughly an hour away from Bunia. It’s a densely packed town where many residents are cattle farmers, supplying milk and meat to Bunia.

The local health center also serves as an Ebola treatment facility managed by the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA). Gabriel Tshiwisa provided insights during our visit, stating that at least one person succumbs to the illness daily.

However, fear, skepticism, and spreading rumors are making containment efforts even tougher. Some individuals still doubt the existence of the disease, while others believe it was introduced by outsiders hoping to gain from the turmoil.

Dr. Tshiwisa remarked, “The biggest challenge is building community trust. We’re actively working with the residents to raise awareness about the outbreak and the steps we’re taking.”

Several treatment centers and health workers have faced hostility. In mid-May, isolation tents in Rwampara were set ablaze by relatives of a young man suspected of dying from Ebola, angered by restrictions on handling his body.

An Ebola victim’s body is highly infectious, so safe burial practices are essential to preventing further spread.

We joined a team of Red Cross volunteers to bury a woman on the outskirts of Bunia. Marie, aged 60, had passed away at home after suffering from illness for some time. Until testing confirms otherwise, every death is treated as a possible Ebola case.

David Benga, her mother-in-law, expressed deep concerns: “People are dying daily. It frightens us. So when someone dies, we inform the Red Cross, which is why we requested their assistance.”

The burial process evoked both fear and sorrow. The volunteers, clad in full protective gear, sprayed disinfectant as they moved forward. In normal circumstances, funeral preparations last for days, steeped in cultural traditions, often drawing large crowds. But today, only a handful of mourners were present.

Richard Lifungula, a Red Cross volunteer, mentioned he has buried over two dozen individuals since the onset of the outbreak. “This work is perilous. Many attacks on responders occur during burials,” he noted.

Alex Lock from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies underscored that the safety of volunteers is a top priority. “Just three weeks ago, two volunteers were injured and had to be evacuated. We want to assist the community, but that becomes complicated if the locals do not see us as allies,” he stated.

Those at the forefront of this response recognize there’s still much work to be done. Yap Boum, who oversees preparedness for Africa CDC, is collaborating with the Congolese Ministry of Health. “We’ve made considerable strides in lab capacities, surveillance, and treatment centers, but the number of cases and fatalities keeps rising. We’re exploring ways to accelerate decentralization and expand treatment capabilities,” he explained.

Yet, there is a glimmer of hope: an increasing number of people are surviving Ebola.

During a recent prayer service of gratitude, we met Gladys Munguromo, who had lost three relatives in just a week. She contracted the virus after attending a funeral in Mongbwalu, the outbreak’s origin, and sought treatment at Rwampara when she felt unwell.

Now, she’s become an advocate for Ebola awareness, spreading the message to every village and home. Some survivors have returned to treatment facilities to care for patients, as they are less likely to be reinfected, making their involvement crucial to the response.

Their message is clear: If you ignore illness and remain at home, your chances of survival diminish significantly.