The World Health Organization (WHO) is strengthening its community-based response to the deadly Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), as health authorities work to prevent further infections and improve public awareness in affected communities.

In a major development reported on November 4, 2026, WHO highlighted how community surveys, local leadership and public awareness campaigns are helping change people’s behaviour in Nizi, an affected health zone in Ituri Province.

The outbreak has presented significant challenges for medical teams, particularly because some residents initially avoided treatment centres and resisted recommended burial procedures due to traditional beliefs and fear surrounding the disease.

Hundreds of Cases and Deaths Reported in Nizi

Nizi was among the earliest areas affected by the Bundibugyo virus epidemic in Ituri Province.

According to information shared by WHO, the health zone recorded 827 confirmed cases and 488 deaths in July, with approximately 59 per cent of deaths occurring within communities rather than healthcare facilities.

By October, the situation had changed considerably, with 119 confirmed cases and 51 community deaths reported in Nizi.

These figures highlight the serious impact of the outbreak and the importance of identifying infections early.

WHO Uses Community Surveys to Understand the Crisis

To understand why people were avoiding medical treatment, WHO supported a rapid community survey conducted between August 10 and August 18 across four health areas in Nizi.

The assessment focused on the social, cultural and behavioural factors contributing to delayed treatment and unsafe practices.

Investigators discovered that many residents initially failed to recognise the possibility of Bundibugyo virus infection because its early symptoms can resemble common illnesses.

Symptoms such as fever, headaches, abdominal pain and vomiting were sometimes mistaken for malaria or typhoid.

Some affected individuals preferred home treatment, self-medication or traditional healers instead of seeking immediate medical assistance.

WHO concluded that these delays increased the possibility of continued transmission within households and communities.

Traditional Funeral Practices Create Additional Risks

One of the biggest challenges identified during the assessment involved traditional funeral customs.

In several communities, families wanted to touch or handle the bodies of deceased relatives as part of their mourning and funeral traditions.

However, contact with the body of someone who has died from Ebola disease can expose others to infection.

WHO therefore encouraged safer and dignified burial procedures that respect families while protecting communities from further transmission.

The organisation also worked with religious leaders, village representatives and local authorities to explain the importance of these precautions.

Local Leaders Become Key Partners in Disease Prevention

Rather than depending entirely on outside medical teams, WHO supported local community leaders in communicating essential health information.

Deogratias Mungu Djakisa, a community leader in the Nizi health zone, explained how local representatives received training and subsequently organised discussions with residents.

This approach helped communities understand the risks associated with unsafe funeral practices and delayed medical treatment.

Local leaders also began coordinating with healthcare workers whenever deaths occurred, allowing trained burial teams to respond while reducing unnecessary exposure.

Families Begin Changing Their Behaviour

The response has gradually produced encouraging changes in affected communities.

WHO reported that families are increasingly contacting health authorities when suspicious deaths occur.

Residents are also becoming more willing to refer suspected patients to treatment facilities and avoid direct contact with potentially infectious bodies.

One resident, Enock Baraka, described losing his father, younger sister and maternal aunt within a single month to the disease.

Despite the emotional difficulty of abandoning certain traditional funeral practices, he accepted the recommended safe burial procedures to protect other family members.

His experience illustrates the devastating human impact of the outbreak and the importance of community cooperation.

WHO Continues Working to Stop Transmission

WHO officials have emphasised that understanding local communities is essential to controlling infectious disease outbreaks.

The organisation is continuing to coordinate with healthcare professionals, religious representatives, village leaders and administrative authorities to improve disease awareness and strengthen local response systems.

The latest developments demonstrate that medical resources alone may not be sufficient when fear, misinformation and cultural barriers prevent people from seeking treatment.

Community participation, early reporting and safe infection-prevention practices remain essential to reducing transmission.

A Major Challenge for Global Health Security

The Bundibugyo virus outbreak remains a serious international public health concern.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s November 3 assessment, the outbreak had spread across multiple provinces in DR Congo, with additional imported cases reported in other countries.

The situation underlines the importance of international coordination, effective disease surveillance and rapid medical intervention.

WHO’s latest findings from Nizi offer an important lesson for global health organisations: successful outbreak control requires not only hospitals and medical professionals but also the trust and cooperation of the people most directly affected.

As the response continues, authorities are working to ensure that communities recognise early warning signs, seek medical assistance promptly and follow safety measures to protect their families and neighbours.