DR Congo Reports 676 Ebola Cases and 136 Deaths as Misinformation Spreads

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have recorded 676 confirmed Ebola infections and 136 deaths since the outbreak began on 15 May in Ituri province. The World Health Organization declared an international health emergency, while Africa CDC reported the outbreak continues to spread across 27 health zones.

Africa CDC said on 12 June that the number of affected health zones has doubled in the past week. The epicentre remains in Ituri province, where poor roads and insecurity linked to armed groups have limited access for response teams.

A wave of misinformation has spread online and in villages, with some residents attributing deaths to witchcraft and others claiming the disease is a hoax. The NGO ActionAid estimates that nearly one in three people in Ituri province does not believe Ebola is real.

Epidemiologist Hemes Nkwa told AFP that false claims range from denying the disease exists to accusing authorities of inventing it for financial gain. She said the problem reflects a deeper crisis of trust shaped by insecurity, political tensions, and poverty.

The government has launched a social media campaign to counter myths about transmission and discourage contact with dead bodies. The Congolese Health Ministry announced a rapid-test centre in Mongwalu through the RadiOne platform to isolate infected people faster.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that misinformation spreads as fast as the virus itself. ActionAid country director Saani Yakubu said treatment is often delayed because patients seek care only at a late stage. Africa CDC estimates more than 20,000 contacts may need monitoring, but only 4,955 have been identified so far.