Misinfo, strained resources and armed conflict hamper Ebola response

Health newsMisinfo, strained resources and armed conflict hamper Ebola responseAs cases and deaths continue to mount, teams on the ground are scrambling to contain what they feel is like a growing wildfire. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Relatives of Ebola victims sit outside the General Referral Hospital on Thursday in Mongbwalu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Michel Lunanga / Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 22, 2026, 2:54 PM EDTBy Lauren DunnOne of the first cases of Ebola that Rose Tchwenko heard about in the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was in a healthcare worker. But instead of going to a hospital, she said, his family tried to care for him.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.“The initial thought for the family, even the patient, was that this was related to traditional practices, or maybe even witchcraft,” said Tchwenko, Congo country director for the humanitarian aid organization Mercy Corps. “That’s part of the speculation, because it was handled almost entirely in the family with caregivers, religious leaders and community leaders.”The man died and was given a traditional burial, she said, which likely spread the virus to even more people. In the course of caring for him, the wife was also infected.“There are still, unfortunately, a lot of false beliefs around Ebola,” said Tchwenko, whose group, a nongovernmental organization, is focusing on community engagement to help educate people about the virus. “There’s also a lot of suspicion in certain areas around humanitarian actors or government.” On Thursday, protesters in the town of Rwampara set fire to hospital tents after they weren’t allowed to take back the body of a loved one for burial. Bodies can be infectious for several days after death, and touching and preparing them for traditional funerals have been driving factors for transmission. Health workers in protective equipment...