Three Red Cross Volunteers Die from Ebola in DRC
Red Cross volunteers Ebola deaths Congo
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) announced on Saturday, May 23, 2026, that three of its volunteers have died after contracting the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The volunteers—identified as Alikana Udumusi Augustin, Sezabo Katanabo, and Ajiko Chandiru Viviane—were part of the Mongbwalu local branch in the northeastern Ituri province.
According to the organization, the trio is believed to have been infected on March 27 while carrying out “dead body management activities” as part of a humanitarian mission that was, at the time, unrelated to the Ebola virus.
The IFRC stated that the community was unaware of the Ebola outbreak during the March intervention, as the virus had not yet been formally identified or declared in the region. The volunteers are now considered among the first known victims of the current epidemic, which has since been confirmed to be caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
One volunteer passed away on May 5, while the other two died on May 15 and 16. In a formal statement, the Geneva-based federation honored their sacrifice, noting that they “lost their lives while serving their communities with courage and humanity.”
The deaths occur as the DRC and neighboring Uganda battle a rapidly escalating outbreak that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Officially declared on May 15, 2026, the outbreak has already spread from Ituri into North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
Current data indicates nearly 750 suspected cases and over 170 suspected deaths, with health officials noting that the Bundibugyo strain poses a significant challenge because there are currently no approved vaccines or specific therapeutic treatments available for it.
Regional health authorities, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), have warned that high mobility and insecurity in eastern Congo are complicating containment efforts. As the virus continues to move through densely populated mining communities and transport hubs, several neighboring countries—including Rwanda, South Sudan, and Kenya—have been placed on high-risk alert.
The IFRC and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting affected communities while simultaneously bolstering infection prevention protocols to protect frontline humanitarian workers operating in the region.
