United Nations figures show maternal deaths in Ituri province rose by nearly 70% between May and July compared with the same period a year earlier. The increase has been linked to women avoiding prenatal appointments and choosing to give birth at home because of concerns about exposure to the virus.
The United Nations Population Fund has also reported a decline of more than 30% in hospital deliveries and a 50% fall in treatment for obstetric complications over the May-to-July period. At healthcare facilities in Butembo, nurses described a sharp reduction in births since the outbreak was declared in May.
Misinformation has compounded the problem. Some patients reportedly fear that medicines provided by health workers contain the virus or that being referred to an Ebola treatment centre will put their lives at risk. Medical staff say delays in seeking treatment can leave patients with conditions such as malaria or pregnancy complications until their chances of survival have deteriorated.
Children's healthcare is also being affected. UNICEF reported that routine vaccinations fell by more than half across Ebola hotspots in Ituri between April and June. In Mongbwalu, first-dose measles vaccinations declined by 69%, while healthcare facilities across the province administered 23,000 fewer routine vaccine doses in May and June than in April.
The reduction in immunisation creates additional risks in a country already experiencing recurrent measles outbreaks. Congo's health ministry recorded 126,000 measles cases during 2026, according to figures cited by Reuters. The longer routine services are disrupted, the greater the potential for preventable illnesses to spread.
The outbreak has also exposed the consequences of reduced international assistance. Aid cuts have contributed to shortages of some life-saving medicines, limiting the ability of facilities to respond to routine health needs alongside emergency Ebola care.
Reuters reported that the outbreak had spread across seven provinces, with more than 8,000 people infected and over 4,000 deaths recorded at the time of reporting. The epidemic was described as the country's worst on record.
Containing the outbreak therefore requires more than emergency treatment and infection-control measures. Restoring trust in healthcare workers, communicating clearly with communities and maintaining maternal services and childhood immunisation are also essential.
The wider concern is that an emergency response focused on Ebola alone could overlook indirect health consequences. Protecting routine care will be critical to preventing the outbreak from causing further damage to the region's health system.
