Key facts
- At least 30 people have died in Kigonze camp since early May.
- Symptoms include headaches, fever, and vomiting, consistent with Ebola.
- Resistance to testing and poor sanitation are hindering efforts to control the outbreak.
- Funding for water, hygiene, and sanitation services has been significantly reduced.
- Health workers are awaiting results from samples taken from five victims.
At least 30 people have died in a camp for displaced civilians in northeastern Congo since the start of May, with camp officials suspecting Ebola due to the symptoms. The high death rate in Kigonze camp, which has over 15,000 residents, raises fears that the virus may be circulating undetected among eastern Congo's over 5 million displaced people.
Camp officials and aid organizations reported that all deceased individuals exhibited symptoms such as headaches, fever, and vomiting, which are associated with Ebola. However, confirmation of the cause of death has been hindered by the refusal of patients or their relatives to allow testing of the living or the dead. Health workers have since taken samples from five victims, and results are pending.
The spike in deaths highlights the precarious living conditions in the camp, with large families sharing tents and inadequate sanitation. Four aid workers stated that communities are more exposed to diseases like Ebola due to funding cuts for water, hygiene, and sanitation services, essential for combating diseases that spread through bodily fluids. Data shows that funding for toilets and handwashing stations has more than halved between 2024 and 2025, with the current year's appeal only 21% funded.
While Washington has been a top supporter of WASH services in Congo and committed significant direct Ebola funding, the Trump administration defended cuts to these services, prioritizing "hyper-prioritized life-saving humanitarian assistance." Several aid groups reported that their U.S.-funded WASH projects have been scaled back or dropped since last year's cuts.