1 in 3 people in Ituri believe Ebola is not real, as myths and misinformation hamper containment efforts, ActionAid warns
PRESS STATEMENT: IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 25/05/2026
As healthcare professionals and local authorities in the DRC battle to contain the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, ActionAid has heard from community members in Ituri narrating how myths and misinformation about the disease are hampering efforts.
According to a rapid needs assessment conducted by ActionAid DRC across three health zones in Ituri, misinformation and denial remain widespread. Only 34% of respondents were able to correctly identify at least three Ebola transmission routes, while only 64% believe Ebola is real and not linked to spiritual or mystical causes. Fear, stigma and misinformation continue to fuel risky behaviours and delay health-seeking practices.
Ngone Ngobba Jean Claude, a resident of Lita, told ActionAid, “In the community, people can’t bring themselves to believe in this disease. Some call it a satanic disease, while others believe it was invented to make money. Others say that doctors are lying, while others believe that taking strong alcoholic drinks makes them immune [to infection].”
The inadequate sensitisation at the community level has also led to paranoia among some people.
Aime Lotsove, a woman from Lita, a member of the Women’s Group, said, “There are a lot of rumors here about diseases. Some say Ebola doesn’t exist, others say Ebola was created. I think what we could do for ourselves is to prevent this disease from coming here to our neighborhood, because a cure is still not easy to find, but prevention is always better.”
Isaac, a teacher at Nyama Primary School, said, “Here, psychologically, we are very affected, very unsettled because as soon as one gets a headache, we think it might be the Ebola virus. Everywhere, we feel uneasy, both within our families and in the community. Everywhere, fear reigns.”
ActionAid believes that tackling the current outbreak requires a rapid, coordinated response anchored on swift case detection and community engagement to address myths and misinformation that are prominent in some parts of the affected communities.
"We are not just fighting a deadly virus, we are fighting myths, fear and deep-seated suspicion," said Saani Yakubu, the Country Director of ActionAid DRC.
"We are working hard to conduct awareness-raising sessions in the communities to debunk a lot of the myths and misinformation. These sessions are being held to help people better understand the risks, reduce fears and misinformation, as well as encourage protective behaviour in line with the guidelines provided.”
ENDS
Spokespeople are available for media engagements. Contact the media office on media-enquiries@actionaid.org to arrange.
About ActionAid
ActionAid is a global federation working for a world free from poverty and injustice. We want to see a just, fair and sustainable world, in which everybody enjoys the right to a life of dignity, and freedom from poverty and oppression. We work to achieve social justice and gender equality, and to eradicate poverty.
