The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is worsening amid ongoing violence and repeated attacks on health facilities, further weakening an already fragile healthcare system and forcing patients to abandon treatment.&nbsp;In the northeastern province of Ituri, where the first cases were reported, at least three attacks have been recorded on health centres. Two of these took place over the weekend at the same hospital, allowing more than two dozen patients to flee mid-treatment.&nbsp;The incidents, some linked to disputes over the handling of bodies of suspected Ebola victims, have revived memories of the 2018–2020 outbreak in eastern Congo, which killed more than 25 health workers amid widespread insecurity.&nbsp;Dr Richard Lokodu, medical director of the Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital, which was targeted over the weekend, said public mistrust is worsening the situation. He said, “There is a denial of the disease within the population, with some members wanting to claim the bodies of suspected and/or confirmed cases.”&nbsp;“We have one confirmed case of Ebola that continues to circulate in the community and evade the response,” Lokodu said.&nbsp;On Sunday, the same hospital came under four waves of attacks by groups of young people, reportedly mobilised by relatives of a Christian religious leader who died of Ebola. Seven additional patients escaped during the chaos, while security forces were deployed to restore order. One critically ill suspected Ebola patient reportedly died while trying to flee.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/epidemic-is-outpacing-us-who-chief-says-countries-neighbouring-dr-congo-at-high-risk-from-ebola-1779726210566">'Epidemic is outpacing us': WHO chief says countries neighbouring DR Congo at 'high risk' from Ebola</a><h2>Violence flares up in eastern Congo</h2>At the same time, armed conflict continues between government forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 militia in eastern DRC, where Ebola cases are also rising. Security sources and local residents said fighting has intensified over recent days.&nbsp;The mineral-rich east has faced instability for decades due to multiple armed groups. Since 2021, M23 has expanded its control, with clashes escalating further since early 2025.&nbsp;Health authorities say the outbreak has triggered an international alert from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The DRC health ministry has reported 204 deaths and 867 suspected cases so far. Of recent samples tested, three were negative and one was confirmed positive.<h2>WHO warns of regional spread</h2>WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that neighbouring countries face a serious threat as the outbreak spreads faster than containment efforts.&nbsp;“Countries bordering DRC are at especially high risk and should take immediate action,” Tedros said, adding that he will travel to the DRC on Tuesday as the situation worsens.&nbsp;Health experts say Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and can cause severe bleeding, organ failure, and death in serious cases. Tedros also warned that response efforts are being slowed by insecurity and delayed detection.&nbsp;He further said there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the outbreak.&nbsp;According to WHO figures, at least 10 confirmed deaths and 220 suspected deaths have been recorded since mid-May, with nearly 900 suspected infections reported since the outbreak was declared on May 15.

Escalating violence and attacks on health facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have heightened fears over the spread of the Ebola virus, as the WHO warned that neighbouring countries face a serious threat and that the epidemic is spreading faster than containment efforts.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is worsening amid ongoing violence and repeated attacks on health facilities, further weakening an already fragile healthcare system and forcing patients to abandon treatment. In the northeastern province of Ituri, where the first cases were reported, at least three attacks have been recorded on health centres. Two of these took place over the weekend at the same hospital, allowing more than two dozen patients to flee mid-treatment. The incidents, some linked to disputes over the handling of bodies of suspected Ebola victims, have revived memories of the 2018–2020 outbreak in eastern Congo, which killed more than 25 health workers amid widespread insecurity. Dr Richard Lokodu, medical director of the Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital, which was targeted over the weekend, said public mistrust is worsening the situation. He said, “There is a denial of the disease within the population, with some members wanting to claim the bodies of suspected and/or confirmed cases.” “We have one confirmed case of Ebola that continues to circulate in the community and evade the response,” Lokodu said. On Sunday, the same hospital came under four waves of attacks by groups of young people, reportedly mobilised by relatives of a Christian religious leader who died of Ebola. Seven additional patients escaped during the chaos, while security forces were deployed to restore order. One critically ill suspected Ebola patient reportedly died while trying to flee. Also Read: 'Epidemic is outpacing us': WHO chief says countries neighbouring DR Congo at 'high risk' from Ebola Violence flares up in eastern Congo At the same time, armed conflict continues between government forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 militia in eastern DRC, where Ebola cases are also rising. Security sources and local residents said fighting has intensified over recent days. The mineral-rich east has faced instability for decades due to multiple armed groups. Since 2021, M23 has expanded its control, with clashes escalating further since early 2025. Health authorities say the outbreak has triggered an international alert from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The DRC health ministry has reported 204 deaths and 867 suspected cases so far. Of recent samples tested, three were negative and one was confirmed positive. WHO warns of regional spread WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that neighbouring countries face a serious threat as the outbreak spreads faster than containment efforts. “Countries bordering DRC are at especially high risk and should take immediate action,” Tedros said, adding that he will travel to the DRC on Tuesday as the situation worsens. Health experts say Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and can cause severe bleeding, organ failure, and death in serious cases. Tedros also warned that response efforts are being slowed by insecurity and delayed detection. He further said there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the outbreak. According to WHO figures, at least 10 confirmed deaths and 220 suspected deaths have been recorded since mid-May, with nearly 900 suspected infections reported since the outbreak was declared on May 15.

Escalating violence and attacks on health facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have heightened fears over the spread of the Ebola virus, as the WHO warned that neighbouring countries face a serious threat and that the epidemic is spreading faster than containment efforts.

Ebola patients flee treatment as hospitals come under attack amid rising violence in DR Congo

The United States on Friday temporarily barred entry of lawful permanent residents who had been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days, citing concerns over Ebola and widening an earlier restriction that had exempted green card holders. The move follows an order issued under Title 42 of US public health law, which allows health authorities to restrict entry to prevent spread of contagious diseases. According to the US government, the measure is temporary and aimed at balancing public health with emergency response capacity.&nbsp;<h2>Health agencies cite Ebola risk and outbreak escalation</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>In a statement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said extending the ban to green card holders was necessary to prevent further spread. “Applying this authority to lawful permanent residents for a limited period of time provides a balance between protecting public health and managing emergency response resources”, it said.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/neptune-s-mysterious-moon-nereid-may-be-the-only-survivor-of-an-ancient-cosmic-crash-nasa-s-jswt-finds-1779458054236">Neptune’s mysterious moon Nereid may be the only survivor of an ancient cosmic crash, NASA's JSWT finds</a>&nbsp;Authorities confirmed an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo on May 15, 2026, after cases were reported in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. The National Institute of Biomedical Research identified the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no cure, marking the 17th Ebola outbreak in the country since 1976.&nbsp;<h2>WHO warns and US expands restrictions</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>The World Health Organization raised the risk level of the Bundibugyo strain to 'very high', warning of potential national outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and declaring the situation an emergency of international concern. In response, the US State Department confirmed an expansion of the visa pause linked to the Ebola outbreak. A Federal Register document signed by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr formalised the extension, while the CDC had initially issued the order on Monday under Title 42 authority.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-green-orbs-discs-and-fireballs-pentagon-releases-second-batch-of-declassified-ufo-files-1779456364072">‘Green orbs, discs and fireballs’: Pentagon releases second batch of declassified UFO files</a>&nbsp;Green card holders have historically been shielded from US entry restrictions. Even during the COVID-era Title 42 order, lawful permanent residents were not covered, nor were they included in previous presidential travel bans. The current temporary expansion therefore marks a notable departure in US public health border enforcement policy. Officials said the measure is time-limited and tied to ongoing monitoring of cross-border transmission risks. Public health authorities emphasised coordination with international agencies amid the escalating outbreak response.

According to the US government, the measure is temporary and aimed at balancing public health with emergency response capacity.

The United States on Friday temporarily barred entry of lawful permanent residents who had been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days, citing concerns over Ebola and widening an earlier restriction that had exempted green card holders. The move follows an order issued under Title 42 of US public health law, which allows health authorities to restrict entry to prevent spread of contagious diseases. According to the US government, the measure is temporary and aimed at balancing public health with emergency response capacity. Health agencies cite Ebola risk and outbreak escalation In a statement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said extending the ban to green card holders was necessary to prevent further spread. “Applying this authority to lawful permanent residents for a limited period of time provides a balance between protecting public health and managing emergency response resources”, it said. ALSO READ: Neptune’s mysterious moon Nereid may be the only survivor of an ancient cosmic crash, NASA's JSWT finds Authorities confirmed an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo on May 15, 2026, after cases were reported in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. The National Institute of Biomedical Research identified the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no cure, marking the 17th Ebola outbreak in the country since 1976. WHO warns and US expands restrictions The World Health Organization raised the risk level of the Bundibugyo strain to 'very high', warning of potential national outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and declaring the situation an emergency of international concern. In response, the US State Department confirmed an expansion of the visa pause linked to the Ebola outbreak. A Federal Register document signed by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr formalised the extension, while the CDC had initially issued the order on Monday under Title 42 authority. ALSO READ: ‘Green orbs, discs and fireballs’: Pentagon releases second batch of declassified UFO files Green card holders have historically been shielded from US entry restrictions. Even during the COVID-era Title 42 order, lawful permanent residents were not covered, nor were they included in previous presidential travel bans. The current temporary expansion therefore marks a notable departure in US public health border enforcement policy. Officials said the measure is time-limited and tied to ongoing monitoring of cross-border transmission risks. Public health authorities emphasised coordination with international agencies amid the escalating outbreak response.

According to the US government, the measure is temporary and aimed at balancing public health with emergency response capacity.

US government extends Ebola entry ban to Green Card holders amid outbreak fears

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Ebola patients flee treatment as hospitals come under attack amid rising violence in DR Congo

US government extends Ebola entry ban to Green Card holders amid outbreak fears