Inside MSF’s Ebola treatment centers in DRC amid rising cases
Inside MSF’s Ebola treatment centers in DRC amid rising cases
Weeks into the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has ramped up efforts to contain the spread. Our teams invite you inside the treatment centers in Goma and Bunia—ground zero for the virus—in response to the seventeenth epidemic to strike the region.
Worsening epidemiological outlook
With expanded testing capabilities at the end of May, the DRC Ministry of Health updated its official figures. As of June 4, 2026, the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) reports:
- 381 confirmed cases;
- 64 confirmed deaths;
- 233 suspected cases currently in isolation.
In Uganda, surveillance continues with 19 reported cases and one death as of June 5.
MSF expands and reopens treatment facilities
To curb the spread of Bundibugyo virus and break transmission chains, MSF is tailoring its response in the hardest-hit areas.
Bunia: expanding capacity amid patient surge
In Bunia, treatment centers face overwhelming demand. On June 5, the facility housed 37 suspected and 7 confirmed cases. To mitigate risks, the team is expanding operations. “We are opening a new ward and doubling capacity to 70 beds within days,” says Anthony Kergosien, Emergency Coordinator in Bunia. If necessary, the site could scale up to 100 beds.
Goma: reopening a historic treatment hub
In Goma, MSF has reopened a dedicated treatment center to isolate suspected cases and care for confirmed patients. The first admissions began on May 28.
“This center was used during previous outbreaks. Teams start by speaking with patients, reassuring them about the process, explaining care, average length of stay, and required tests,” explains Tathy Modjaka Nzoko, MSF Medical Activity Manager in Goma.
Protecting healthcare workers and building community trust
Shielding frontline staff from the virus
Medical personnel are equipped with full personal protective gear to ensure effective defense against the Bundibugyo virus. The virus’s low infectious dose means even minimal exposure—through the eyes or mouth—can trigger illness. “The gear must be impermeable to fluids, as the virus spreads via bodily fluids,” notes Armand Sprecher, Emergency Physician and Epidemiologist with MSF. “This is critical because we lack the vaccines and treatments we usually rely on.”
Fostering trust within local communities
Encouraging patients to seek immediate isolation requires clear communication. “Trust between MSF and communities is vital. Families naturally care for their loved ones at home, but we need them to come straight to treatment centers. Our protective suits can make us look like strangers, which may deter them. That’s why we explain who we are and emphasize that many in our teams are familiar faces,” says Sprecher.
Empowering teams through knowledge sharing
Scaling up the response relies on expertise transfer. Before deployment, teams undergo specialized training at a center in Belgium. “Every Ebola outbreak reinforces the importance of knowledge sharing. Within MSF, many have extensive epidemic response experience. We send these experts to the field or train others on the ground,” explains Sprecher.
Understanding the Bundibugyo virus: key insights into this outbreak
Unlike prior waves in the DRC, this epidemic is driven by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus (part of the orthoebolavirus family, which includes Zaire and Sudan strains).
While its case fatality rate—estimated between 25% and 40%—is lower than classic Ebola, the response faces a major hurdle: no approved vaccine or treatment exists for this specific strain.
MSF’s ongoing humanitarian mission across the DRC
Hundreds of MSF professionals remain active in Ituri and North Kivu, with new care capacities being established in South Kivu. Weekly, several tons of medical and logistical supplies arrive from our international hubs to support the intervention.