In the Democratic Republic of Congo, mistrust is hindering the response to a resurgence of Ebola in camps for displaced persons.

In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, medical teams are struggling to contain a new Ebola outbreak in overcrowded camps for displaced people, where mistrust of health authorities is severely hampering contact tracing and prevention efforts. In the Kpangba camp, deaths linked to the virus were confirmed about two weeks ago, triggering an emergency response.

Health workers, supported by the provincial health ministry and the World Health Organization, have been attempting to trace the contacts of those who have died in order to limit the spread of the virus. But according to local health officials, these teams have faced hostility from some members of the population, even being pushed back by residents who dispute the existence of the epidemic.

The chief medical officer of the Nizi health zone, Dr. Jean-Claude Lonzama, indicated that the teams are currently unable to effectively continue contact tracing. This disruption to the surveillance system constitutes a major obstacle in a region where health infrastructure is already weakened by conflict and massive population displacements.

In the densely populated mining area of ​​Nizi, health authorities estimate that approximately 81,000 people are living in about twenty displacement sites. The Kpangba camp, which hosts nearly 30,000 people who have fled intercommunal violence, has become a critical point in the response to the epidemic.

Living conditions in these camps facilitate the spread of the virus. Lack of access to clean water, overcrowding, and inadequate hygiene make the situation particularly worrying, according to humanitarian teams on the ground. Despite awareness campaigns, authorities acknowledge that preventative measures remain limited.

The distrust of some residents is also explained by rumors and misunderstandings surrounding the disease. In some communities, the epidemic is perceived as a fabrication or an exaggeration, which further complicates the acceptance of health measures, particularly the isolation of suspected cases and contact tracing.

Humanitarian and health organizations are warning of the risk of a rapid spread of the virus if the situation does not improve. In a context already marked by insecurity and massive population displacement, controlling the epidemic now depends as much on the medical response as on the ability to restore trust between communities and health teams.