Nyankunde: In areas impacted by the Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak, securing community trust is crucial. Rumors, fear of Ebola treatment centers, and reluctance toward public health interventions can hinder alerts, patient care, contact tracing, and case management.
According to African Press Organization, in Nyankunde, a health zone located 45km from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this issue has been particularly prominent. Of the 11 health areas, eight were affected by the outbreak. Safe burials, site decontamination, and the use of body bags faced resistance from affected communities. The Ebola Treatment Centre, positioned near the general referral hospital, was attacked on July 15 and 16, 2026, showcasing the challenges faced by response teams.
Ismael, a resident of Nyankunde, acknowledges the existence and danger of Ebola, though community perceptions remain divided. Rumors fuel fear of treatment centers, with some believing patients might receive fatal injections there. Ismael believes respected community figures can play a decisive role in influencing hesitant individuals to understand the disease and adopt responsible behaviors.
Health zone teams have relied on community proximity. €š¬°tienne Mwere, Risk Communication and Community Engagement officer for the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare in Nyankunde, noted that the lack of information fueled resistance. Dialogues with authorities and local leaders were intensified to address community concerns and facilitate acceptance of public health measures.
To date, at least 32 community dialogues have engaged over 1500 community leaders, administrative authorities, and influencers in Nyankunde. In Sota, one of the heavily affected health areas, community leader Esa Abaseke Kabonne recalls the initial community resistance to treatment centers, which improved with the involvement of leaders.
As perceptions shifted, the health zone increasingly relied on community-based volunteers. Sixteen community leaders, two in each of the eight affected health areas, have been trained to intensify dialogue with residents. Their mission extends beyond awareness-raising, involving rapid reporting of alerts, identifying sick individuals, responding to concerns, and fostering adherence to public health measures. Methods include door-to-door visits, small-group discussions, and local networks.
Esp©rance Chandikana, an 18-year-old community leader, emphasizes the importance of prevention. Changes are becoming visible as public health interventions gain understanding and acceptance, and collaboration with response teams improves.
Dieudonn© Ramazani, WHO RCCE expert in Nyankunde, notes a significant increase in community alerts, from 11 per day to 60-70 per day, and a decrease in resistance to public health interventions. No new attacks on response teams or health facilities have been reported since July.
This progress is also reflected in growing community involvement. In Sota, Divine, who lost family members to Ebola, voluntarily joined a team responsible for safe and dignified burials in several health areas. Supported by WHO and partners, health authorities aim to make communities fully engaged actors in efforts to break transmission chains and end Bundibugyo virus disease.
Divine expresses pride in contributing to the team and saving lives, emphasizing the collective desire to prevent further loss to the disease.