Weeks after the Ebola epidemic erupted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is scaling up its operations to contain the virus. Today, the organisation invites a rare look inside its treatment centres in Goma and Bunia, in Ituri province—the epicentre of this 17th outbreak.
Epidemiological toll continues to climb
With testing capacity expanded in late May, the DRC Ministry of Health updated its figures. As of 4 June 2026, the official tally from the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) stands at:
- 381 confirmed cases
- 64 confirmed deaths
- 233 suspected patients currently in isolation
In Uganda, the situation remains under monitoring, with 19 reported cases and one death as of 5 June.
MSF opens and expands Ebola treatment hubs
To curb the spread of the Bundibugyo virus and break transmission chains, MSF teams are adapting their response in the worst‑affected areas.
Bunia: a centre stretched by patient inflow
In Bunia, the facility is facing overcrowding. On 5 June, the centre held 37 suspected and 7 confirmed patients. With the risk of further spread, the centre is being enlarged. “We are preparing a new plot and will double our capacity to 70 beds within days,” says Anthony Kergosien, MSF emergency coordinator in Bunia. If needed, the centre can scale up to 100 beds.
Goma: a historic centre revitalised
In Goma, MSF has reopened a dedicated treatment centre to isolate suspected cases and treat confirmed patients. The first admissions took place on 28 May.
“This centre was used during previous outbreaks. Teams start by speaking with patients, reassuring them about what will happen, explaining the care pathway, the average length of stay, and the samples that will be taken,” explains Tathy Modjaka Nzoko, MSF medical activity manager in Goma.
Staff safety and community trust: the twin pillars of the response
Protecting healthcare workers from the virus
Medical personnel are equipped with full personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure effective protection against the Bundibugyo virus, whose infectious dose is extremely low. “Just a few viral particles in the wrong place—like the eyes or mouth—can trigger the disease,” says Armand Sprecher, MSF emergency physician and epidemiologist.
The primary goal of the PPE is to keep the Ebola virus off the skin. “For that, the suit must be waterproof because the virus spreads through bodily fluids. This is especially critical because we lack the usual vaccines and treatments,” Sprecher adds.
Building trust with local communities
To ensure patients accept rapid isolation, explanation and awareness‑raising are crucial.
“Trust between MSF and the local population is important. People normally care for their families at home. But we need them to come to a treatment centre immediately. The fact that our equipment makes us look like we’re from another planet can make them reluctant. So we explain why we wear it, and that many of those wearing the suits are people they know,” says Sprecher.
Transferring skills and training teams
To mount a large‑scale response, MSF relies on shared expertise. Specific training is conducted at a centre in Belgium before teams deploy to the field.
“With every Ebola outbreak, knowledge transfer is a major part of the response. We have people within MSF who have extensive experience in outbreak response. So we send those experts to the ground—people who know what they’re doing, or who can train others,” Sprecher explains.
I give to the MSF Emergency Fund
Understanding the Bundibugyo virus: what makes this outbreak different
Unlike previous waves in DRC, this epidemic is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola (part of the orthoebolavirus family, which also includes Zaire and Sudan viruses).
Although the case fatality rate for Bundibugyo is lower than that of classical Ebola—estimated between 25 and 40 per cent—the medical response faces a major hurdle: there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for this specific virus.
MSF’s humanitarian work continues across the country
Hundreds of MSF professionals remain deployed in the affected zones of Ituri and North Kivu, while new treatment capacities are being set up in South Kivu. Each week, several tonnes of medical and logistical supplies continue to arrive in DRC from MSF’s international hubs to support the intervention.
