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## Overview At least 30 people have reportedly died since May 2026 in the Kigonze displacement camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo, amid a growing Ebola threat (Al Jazeera, June 19, 2026). The situation is described as a developing crisis at the intersection of armed conflict displacement and infectious disease risk. ## Background Kigonze is a displacement camp in the DRC, a country that has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks — more than any other nation. The DRC's eastern regions have faced prolonged conflict, most recently involving M23 rebel advances, which have driven large-scale civilian displacement and created conditions conducive to disease transmission. ## Current Situation At least 30 deaths have reportedly occurred at the Kigonze camp since May 2026, with Ebola identified as a growing threat (Al Jazeera, June 19, 2026). The specific causation of deaths and the confirmed presence of Ebola virus were not definitively established in available reporting as of June 19, 2026. ## Risk Factors - Displacement camps create high-density living conditions with limited sanitation, facilitating transmission of hemorrhagic fevers. - The DRC's health system capacity in conflict zones is severely constrained. - Prior DRC Ebola outbreaks (2018–2020 in Kivu) demonstrated the difficulty of containment in active conflict areas. - Cross-border movement with Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi raises regional spillover risk. ## Significance - **Global health**: A confirmed Ebola outbreak in a large displacement camp would represent a significant public health emergency with potential for international spread. - **Humanitarian operations**: NGOs and UN agencies operating in the region face compounded security and disease risks. - **Investment/business**: Supply chain and travel risk assessments for Central Africa should incorporate this developing situation.