Inside MSF’s Ebola treatment centres in the DRC as the outbreak worsens

Several weeks after the start of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is ramping up its efforts to contain the virus. Our teams invite you inside their treatment centres in Goma and Bunia, in Ituri province, the epicentre of this seventeenth epidemic.

Epidemiological toll continues to mount

After expanding testing capacity in late May, the DRC health ministry updated its figures. As of 4 June 2026, the official tally from the country’s biomedical research institute 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 counter the spread of the Bundibugyo virus and break the transmission chain, MSF teams are adapting their response in the hardest-hit areas.

In Bunia: a centre expanding to cope with patient influx

In Bunia, the centre is struggling with overcrowding. On 5 June, it held 37 suspected patients and 7 confirmed ones. Facing the risk of further spread, the facility is being enlarged. “We are preparing a new plot and will double our capacity to reach 70 beds in a matter of days,” says Anthony Kergosien, MSF emergency coordinator in Bunia. If needed, the centre can scale up to 100 beds.

In Goma: reopening of a historic centre

In Goma, MSF has reopened a dedicated treatment centre to isolate suspected cases and treat confirmed patients. The first admissions occurred on 28 May. “This centre was used during previous epidemics. Teams begin by talking to patients, trying to reassure them about what will happen, explaining the care process, average length of stay, and the samples that will be taken,” says Tathy Modjaka Nzoko, MSF medical activity manager in Goma.

Safety of health workers and community trust: pillars of the response

Protecting medical staff against the virus

Medical personnel are equipped with personal protective equipment to ensure effective protection against the Bundibugyo virus. The infectious dose of this virus is very 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 protective gear is designed to keep the Ebola virus off the skin. “It must be water-resistant because the virus spreads through body fluids. This is especially critical since we do not have the usual vaccines and treatments,” he adds.

Building trust with local communities

For patients to accept rapid isolation, education and awareness efforts are essential. “Trust between MSF and the local population is important. People typically 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 beings from another planet can make them reluctant. So 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 mount a large-scale response, MSF relies on sharing expertise. Specific training is provided at a centre in Belgium before teams deploy to the field. “With every Ebola outbreak, knowledge transfer is a major part of the response. Some MSF staff have extensive experience in outbreak response, so we send people who know what they are doing or who can train others,” Sprecher states.

I give to the MSF Emergency Fund

Understanding the Bundibugyo virus: what makes this outbreak different

Unlike previous waves in the DRC, this outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola (an orthoebolavirus, which also includes the Zaire and Sudan viruses). Although the fatality rate for Bundibugyo is lower than for classic Ebola – ranging between 25 and 40 percent – the medical response faces a major challenge: currently there is no approved vaccine or treatment for this specific virus.

MSF humanitarian action continues across the country

Hundreds of MSF professionals remain deployed in affected areas of Ituri and North Kivu, while new care capacities are being set up in South Kivu. Each week, several tonnes of medical and logistics supplies continue to arrive in the DRC from our international hubs to support the response.