Rumonge : increased vigilance amid Ebola risk in the Great Lakes Region

SOS Médias Burundi

Rumonge, May 22, 2026 – The resurgence of Ebola virus disease in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is reviving health concerns in the Great Lakes region, where cross-border trade with Burundi remains intense. While the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies the risk as high at the regional level, border entry points, particularly lake ports, appear to be especially sensitive areas.

In this context, health and administrative authorities are closely monitoring the situation in the port city of Rumonge, located in the southwest of the country, in Burunga province, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

At the heart of the concerns is the commercial port of Rumonge, the main entry point for travelers and traders from the Congolese areas bordering the lake. The site experiences a high daily flow of passengers and trade, increasing the potential risk of spread in the event of an imported case.

Since the official declaration of the outbreak on May 15 by Congolese authorities, the health situation in the region has deteriorated. Available data indicates approximately 139 probable deaths and nearly 600 suspected cases, according to health officials.

The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that the risk associated with the Ebola outbreak is considered high at the national and regional levels in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, but remains low globally. The agency specifies, however, that the situation does not currently meet the criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

On the ground, approximately 51 confirmed cases have been identified in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, while suspected cases continue to be reported. Isolated cases have also been confirmed in Uganda, particularly in Kampala.

WHO experts warn that these numbers could rise due to the virus circulating before detection. They are calling for strengthened surveillance, contact tracing, and the isolation of suspected cases to limit the spread.

In Rumonge, commercial port staff, including the navy, the Air, Border, and Immigration Police (PAFE), and healthcare workers, report working in difficult conditions, marked by a lack of protective equipment and the absence of adequate isolation facilities.

Local authorities have reinforced controls at entry points via Lake Tanganyika, closing secondary access points and centralizing crossings at the commercial port. However, those on the ground believe these measures remain insufficient without adequate sanitary facilities.

They are calling for the urgent establishment of a care center that meets World Health Organization standards in order to prevent any risk of spread in Burunga province and beyond.