Health Services Disrupted as Ebola Spreads Across Ituri, DRC

The Ebola outbreak in the eastern DRC’s Ituri region has caused a severe disruption to basic health services. United Nations officials note that nearly one million people have fled their homes, with women and children comprising around 80 % of the displaced population. According to UNICEF, children are involved in about one‑third of all fatalities and one‑quarter of confirmed infections. The fear of catching the virus has led to a more than 40 % drop in the utilisation of essential health facilities in the most affected districts. Pregnant women are facing double jeopardy: weekly, six women die from childbirth complications, and Ebola infection during pregnancy typically results in the loss of the fetus. The UN’s coordination body highlighted the urgency of rebuilding trust, while UNICEF and partners have mobilised over 13,000 community workers to spread preventive information, visit 500,000+ households, and reach over 2.4 million people with early‑detection messages.