- One in three people at the epicentre of the deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) do not believe the virus is real, severely hampering containment efforts.
- A rapid assessment by ActionAid DRC in the Ituri region revealed that only 64 per cent of residents believe Ebola is genuine and not linked to spiritual or mystical causes.
- The outbreak has resulted in at least 223 suspected deaths and nearly 1,000 cases, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledging the epidemic is "outpacing us".
- Deep-seated suspicion among local residents, who sometimes view Ebola as a fabrication or a "white man's invention," complicates public health interventions and trust.
- Response efforts are further challenged by significant aid cuts, including a nearly 57 per cent reduction in US foreign assistance after the administration of Donald Trump dismantled USAID, and cuts to the UK aid budget.
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