BUTEMBO, Democratic Republic of Congo: Health authorities and medical teams in the Democratic Republic of Congo are facing growing pressure in North Kivu as Ebola infections increase sharply in the province, putting treatment facilities under strain.

The situation has become particularly serious in Butembo, a major city in North Kivu, where the Kitatumba Ebola treatment centre reached full capacity this week. All 29 available beds were occupied as medical teams dealt with a rising number of patients.

Health workers say the increase has been particularly noticeable over the past two weeks. The surge has created situations in which patients confirmed to have Ebola have struggled to find available beds for treatment. Two additional treatment centres have been opened in Butembo, bringing the city’s total to four.

North Kivu’s growing caseload is occurring even as transmission appears to be slowing in some parts of Ituri, the province that remains the worst affected by the outbreak. Health officials have warned that a decline in cases in one area should not be interpreted as the end of the wider outbreak.

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments. This has made early detection, isolation, contact tracing and supportive medical care particularly important.

According to the latest figures reported by Congolese authorities and cited in the latest reporting, the country had recorded thousands of confirmed cases and deaths since the outbreak began. North Kivu has become an increasingly important centre of transmission, accounting for a growing share of newly confirmed infections and deaths.

Medical teams face additional challenges because some patients are reaching treatment facilities at advanced stages of illness. Early symptoms of Bundibugyo virus infection can resemble more common illnesses, potentially delaying diagnosis and access to appropriate care.

The response is also being complicated by limited medical resources. Staffing shortages and gaps in surveillance have made it difficult to maintain health checkpoints and monitor all potentially exposed people.

Public trust presents another major challenge. Some residents remain reluctant to seek care or cooperate with Ebola response teams. Health workers say misinformation and memories of previous Ebola outbreaks have contributed to resistance in some communities.

In Butembo, crowded markets and public transportation continue to provide environments where people interact closely. Health officials are encouraging residents to follow preventive measures and seek medical attention promptly when symptoms appear.

There have also been attacks against healthcare and response teams. A health facility was recently damaged after residents accused it of cooperating with Ebola responders, highlighting the security difficulties facing medical workers.

Authorities and international health organisations are attempting to improve community engagement by working with religious figures, traditional leaders and neighbourhood representatives. The goal is to build confidence in the response and encourage people to seek care without delay.

North Kivu has experienced previous Ebola outbreaks, although those outbreaks involved the Zaire species rather than the Bundibugyo virus responsible for the current epidemic. The history of Ebola in the province has made community trust an especially important part of the current response.

The geographical spread of the outbreak is another concern. Additional provinces have reported infections, increasing the demands on surveillance and treatment systems.

Despite the difficulties, health officials say some areas are showing signs of progress. Contact monitoring and response operations have improved in certain locations, while recovered patients are also providing evidence that timely medical care can save lives.

For North Kivu, however, the immediate challenge remains reducing transmission while expanding treatment capacity. Medical teams must simultaneously identify new infections, trace contacts, protect healthcare workers and maintain public confidence.

The situation demonstrates how quickly an infectious-disease outbreak can shift geographically. A reduction in transmission in one province does not necessarily mean the overall threat has disappeared.

With treatment centres under pressure in Butembo and new infections continuing to emerge, authorities are focusing on expanding healthcare capacity and strengthening community cooperation.

The coming weeks will be critical for determining whether the rise in North Kivu can be contained and whether the broader Ebola outbreak can be brought under sustained control.