misinformation and the stigma of ‘Ebola business’

The 17th Ebola outbreak is unfolding in a region plagued by insecurity, fueling distrust and false narratives. In Butembo and Beni, within North Kivu province, memories of the 2018-2020 epidemic remain fresh. Grief over lost loved ones, lack of clear communication, and restricted visitation rights have eroded faith in medical responses. In 2019, tensions escalated to the point of a partial arson attack on a treatment center (ETC), forcing MSF to temporarily suspend operations in the area.

“Some advised me not to go to the health center, claiming doctors would make my husband ill,” shares Elise*, whose husband tested positive for Ebola. In a region where humanitarian aid is scarce, the return of medical teams revives old fears. “Rumors spread across all levels of society,” notes Dr. Pablo Paluku Lwanzo, Butembo’s health zone medical chief. “Some deny the disease exists or accuse us of poisoning.”

This climate of misinformation is compounded by the legacy of the so-called ‘Ebola business’—a term tied to financial mismanagement and abuse, including gender-based violence, during past crises. These past grievances continue to undermine the safety of humanitarian workers on the ground.

the virus spreads at an unprecedented pace

As of 13 July 2026, Butembo and Beni reported 122 and 31 confirmed cases, resulting in 77 and 20 deaths, respectively. “These figures likely underrepresent the true scale,” warns Hugo Soubrier, MSF epidemiologist in North Kivu. “Patients often arrive in advanced stages, leading to high mortality. Nearly half of infected individuals have had contact with unidentified cases.”

a new isolation center brings families closer to patients

Denise’s sister was admitted to the new isolation center in Butembo, opened by MSF in early July. Each day, Denise and her family can visit through a glass partition. “It gives me peace of mind to see her,” she says. The center’s design aims to curb transmission while allowing families to maintain contact with patients, explains Delmas Kalemba, MSF’s logistics coordinator. In Butembo, teams repurposed a building from the general referral hospital to create a 35-bed ETC.

empowering communities in the fight against Ebola

To halt the virus’s spread—now affecting Tshopo and Haut-Uélé provinces—and rebuild trust, MSF is placing communities at the heart of its strategy. “Local residents have firsthand experience with Ebola and intimate knowledge of the terrain,” says Margot Grelet, MSF project coordinator in Butembo. “Our role is to provide medical expertise, equipment, and treatments.”

Teams regularly engage with community and religious leaders to tailor interventions. The priority is encouraging early medical consultation to improve survival rates.

community health workers bridge the information gap

In Beni, 50 km from Butembo, a similar participatory approach is in place. “We rely on group leaders, opinion shapers, and civil society to disseminate prevention messages,” explains Delphine Ferry, health promotion manager. On the ground, 150 trained community health workers address families’ questions about Bundibugyo virus and treatment center protocols.

bringing care closer to home and easing patient fears

This commitment to proximity is reflected in practical measures. In addition to a 26-bed care center nearing completion near Beni’s referral hospital, MSF supports two local health centers by providing free primary care. Twelve observation rooms have been set up in Kanzulinzuli and Malepe health areas, with eleven more under construction in Madrandele and Kasabinyole. These spaces safely isolate and treat suspected cases while preserving essential visual and social connections with loved ones.

*Names have been changed to protect identities.