DRC reopens schools in Ebola-hit Ituri despite parents' safety concerns

Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo resumed classes amid ongoing fears over a fast-spreading Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, with thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths reported as schools reopen. Parents and teachers have expressed concerns about transmission in classrooms and dormitories, with low attendance reported at many schools in Ituri. Officials say schools are being equipped with noncontact thermometers, hand sanitizers, and washing facilities, but challenges such as limited clean water and funding persist. The International Rescue Committee is expanding prevention efforts in about 30 schools, training teachers and delivering age-appropriate awareness, psychosocial support, and close collaboration with communities to counter misinformation. Health authorities indicate this outbreak is among the fastest in the disease’s history and has stretched across more than 60 health zones, while vaccines like Ervebo are being used primarily for frontline workers and their effectiveness against Bundibugyo remains unproven. The overall situation underscores the tension between keeping education operational and protecting children and communities from Ebola as the return to school continues.