Three Red Cross volunteers die amid worsening Ebola outbreak

Three Red Cross volunteers have died after reportedly contracting Ebola while carrying out humanitarian duties in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) confirmed the deaths, saying the victims had been serving their communities in difficult and high-risk conditions before falling ill.

The volunteers are believed to have been infected on March 27 while working in Mongwalu in Ituri Province, where they were involved in activities unrelated to Ebola at the time, before the outbreak was officially identified.

The deceased were identified as Alikana Udumusi Augustin, Sezabo Katanabo, and Ajiko Chandiru Viviane. Reports indicate they died between May 5 and May 16 after developing symptoms consistent with the virus.

Health authorities warn that Ebola is highly contagious, particularly through contact with bodily fluids of infected persons, including after death, making handling of bodies a major risk factor during outbreaks.

The current outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has no approved vaccine and is estimated to kill about one-third of those infected.

So far, the outbreak has recorded more than 850 suspected cases and over 200 suspected deaths, raising concern among global health authorities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the risk level in the affected country from “high” to “very high,” citing the rapid spread of the virus and challenges in containment.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the global risk remains low, but warned that neighbouring countries face increased danger due to cross-border movement and weak health systems in some areas.

Uganda has already confirmed additional infections linked to the outbreak, while the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has listed several countries at potential risk, including Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Angola, Burundi, Zambia, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo.

In response, authorities have introduced strict containment measures, including suspension of flights to and from Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province, where many cases have been reported.

Public gatherings have also been restricted, while funeral rites have been suspended or limited to ensure “safe and dignified burials” to prevent further transmission.

However, response efforts have faced resistance in some communities, with aid organisations reporting incidents of violence and mistrust.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said one of its tents used in Ebola response efforts was set on fire in Mongwalu, following earlier incidents where angry residents damaged health facilities after being prevented from retrieving bodies of suspected victims.

Humanitarian groups say fear, misinformation, and cultural resistance continue to hinder effective outbreak control efforts.

The situation is further complicated by ongoing insecurity in parts of eastern Congo, where armed conflict involving rebel groups continues to disrupt health interventions and limit access to affected communities.