Why does Ebola keep recurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
A new BBC Africa video analysis sets out why outbreaks of Ebola keep recurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo, mapping a chain of factors that runs from forest ecology to gaps in the local health infrastructure. The piece highlights the virus's links to tropical rainforests, animal contact and uneven vaccine access.
The BBC team's analysis from eastern DRC notes that the natural reservoir of the virus is in bats and other forest-dwelling animals. Human movement into forest zones, hunting and rural-urban migration increase the chance that tropical viruses enter new transmission cycles. DRC has faced more than 15 Ebola outbreaks in the past 50 years.
On the health-infrastructure side the picture is more fragile. Many affected districts still operate health centres without reliable electricity, with limited laboratory access and cold-chain weaknesses for vaccines. Ongoing conflict around Bukavu and Goma makes it harder for response teams to reach communities.
International partners agree that the Ervebo vaccine developed for DRC has been critical for early intervention. But the warning that the latest strain may differ from the Zaire variant means new vaccine development could take up to nine months. The piece argues that breaking the Ebola cycle requires sustained health investment and stronger community education.
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