A village chief in eastern Congo is working to overcome fear and misinformation surrounding Ebola even after losing four members of his family to the disease. Alphonse bin Kitobi Achou Taibo, the chief of Bapakombe-Bakondo village on the outskirts of Beni, has been urging residents to seek medical attention when they develop symptoms. His efforts come as the region grapples with a major Ebola outbreak, with widespread mistrust, insecurity and misconceptions about the disease complicating attempts to contain its spread. Despite his personal loss, Achou Taibo continues to encourage people to get tested and accept treatment, believing that timely medical care can help save lives. The village chief’s campaign began within his own extended family, where several relatives initially refused to go to hospital after becoming ill. They feared that taking them to medical facilities would lead to their deaths, making it difficult for him to persuade them to seek professional help.

Achou Taibo eventually lost four relatives to Ebola, while 11 other members of his extended family survived after he managed to take them to hospital. Their experiences reinforced his concern that misinformation could prevent sick people from receiving treatment in time. He said the family had been at risk of losing even more members because of the prevailing fear and suspicion surrounding medical facilities. The outbreak has been particularly difficult to control because some residents continue to associate Ebola with poisoning or supernatural forces rather than a viral infection. In one instance, a traditional medicine clinic reportedly attributed the death of Achou Taibo’s cousin to poisoning. Another relative, 27-year-old Zawadi Kavira Musubao, fell ill during the funeral and was also believed to have been poisoned. A traditional healer prepared a potion intended to remove the alleged poison, but Musubao’s condition worsened.

She eventually recovered after contracting Ebola. Achou Taibo later managed to get other sick relatives to Beni’s General Reference Hospital, where medical tests confirmed the infection. Fear and misinformation have also contributed to hostility within affected communities. Achou Taibo said he had witnessed young people setting fire to homes after accusing residents of practising witchcraft. Such incidents highlight how deeply rooted misconceptions can undermine public health measures and put vulnerable families at risk. Health workers face the additional challenge of persuading people to report symptoms, cooperate with contact tracing and accept treatment. Survivors may also face discrimination after recovering, making it harder for them to return to their communities and rebuild their lives. In some cases, health measures such as disinfecting homes have themselves become sources of suspicion. The outbreak, which was declared in May 2026, is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare Ebola species for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

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According to figures from Congo’s Ministry of Health reported on October 29, the outbreak had exceeded 10,000 confirmed cases and 4,800 deaths. The disease has also spread to four other African countries, including two where transmission remains active. Health authorities are racing to contain the outbreak, but armed conflict, poor road infrastructure and limited access to affected communities have complicated response efforts. Eastern Congo has experienced years of insecurity involving numerous armed groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces, which is linked to the Islamic State group. Mistrust of authorities has further weakened efforts to control the disease. Allegations of corruption and mismanagement during previous outbreaks have undermined confidence in official responses, while frontline health workers have raised concerns about unpaid wages and dangerous working conditions. On October 24, a nurse was killed and another health worker injured while responding to an Ebola alert in Bafwasende, in Tshopo province, according to the World Health Organization.

Officials have also warned that difficulties in identifying infections are hampering containment efforts. Government data from early October indicated that more than 70 per cent of new cases were outside known contact lists, while at least 60 per cent of deaths occurred outside treatment centres. For Ebola survivors, the challenges often continue after they leave treatment facilities. Musubao, who had previously lost a sister to the disease, said her landlord forced her family to leave their home after health workers disinfected it, claiming the process had introduced evil spirits. The family moved in with another relative, and Musubao has remained unemployed since falling ill. She hopes to raise enough money to start selling tomatoes and small fish. Achou Taibo continues to encourage anyone showing symptoms to undergo testing and seek treatment. When possible, he also provides food and financial assistance to struggling families. He has repeatedly addressed groups of residents despite facing hostility, urging them to reject misinformation and understand the importance of medical care.

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