More pregnant women are dying in Congo as they avoid hospitals over Ebola
Summary
In eastern Congo, more pregnant women are dying because they avoid hospitals due to fear of Ebola. Since the Ebola outbreak began in May 2026, maternal deaths in the Ituri province have nearly doubled, with many women skipping prenatal care to avoid being isolated.Key Facts
- The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo was declared on May 15, 2026.
- Esther Lutula, a pregnant woman in Bunia, stopped prenatal visits fearing isolation if she showed symptoms like fever.
- Maternal deaths in Ituri province rose from an average of 3.1 per week before the outbreak to 5.8 per week from late May to mid-July.
- Deaths outside health centers increased from 9.1% to 17.4% in the same period.
- Ebola rumors and fear are causing many to avoid health centers during this outbreak.
- The outbreak in Congo is the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic, with over 1,600 confirmed deaths.
- Sub-Saharan Africa has the fastest-growing population and accounts for 70% of global maternal deaths.
- Around 180,000 pregnancy-related deaths occur every year in Africa.
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