The Ebola outbreak is intensifying in the city of Butembo, located in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warns Stephanie Hoffmann, project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Butembo.
This region has already been marked by decades of armed conflict, ongoing insecurity, and an overwhelmed health system, complicating efforts to combat the disease.
As the epicenter of the outbreak shifts from Ituri to North Kivu, virus transmission is accelerating, particularly in this densely populated city of approximately 2 million inhabitants.
Healthcare workers find themselves in a very difficult situation, often caring for their own relatives without adequate protective equipment, increasing the risk of contamination.