BUTEMBO — Dr. Rupa Narra, a U.S. pediatrician working in Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo, faces an Ebola outbreak driven by the Bundibugyo strain that has no approved vaccine or antiviral medication. The World Health Organization has said the current outbreak is projected to surpass the deadliest in history, the West Africa 2014-2016 outbreak.

Narra arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo in August 2026 to work for Doctors Without Borders. She described the situation as unprecedented in her professional experience. "I've never seen anything like this," she said. "It's the most devastating thing I've ever seen in my life."

The Ebola outbreak is spreading across six provinces in eastern Congo, with the latest concentration in the eastern border region between the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda. Clashes between the Congolese army and Rwandan-backed paramilitary forces have forced families to find refuge in cities like Butembo. The World Health Organization noted that the risk in Uganda was assessed as high due to confirmed cross-border spread through imported cases and ongoing epidemiological links along the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo–western Uganda corridor, which has historically been affected by Ebola outbreaks, including Bundibugyo virus and Sudan virus disease.

An Ebola treatment unit in Butembo has 30 beds, with fifteen beds for sick patients waiting on test results and fifteen beds for confirmed Ebola patients. "It's still not enough," she said regarding the capacity of the treatment unit. Health authorities say the true scale of the crisis is likely three times more than official statistics.

Children make up one in four confirmed cases in the current Ebola outbreak, and children represent one in three deaths. For newborns, the Bundibugyo virus is almost always fatal. Last week, Narra's unit lost eight patients, all under the age of 5. About 30% of adults diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain die within two weeks.

Authorities have started vaccinating front-line health workers with the Evrebo vaccine. The World Health Organization says the Evrebo vaccine could offer some protection against Ebola but there is no conclusive evidence it would work against the Bundibugyo virus. As of late August 2026, China had provided $4.5 million in direct support to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the Ebola response.

Narra and her colleagues provide supportive care including running fluids through an IV, giving oxygen or blood transfusions, and treating hypothermia, fever or secondary infections. They are limited to about an hour at a time with patients due to the risks of working in protective gear. "That's been the very difficult part for me — is I can't be at the bedside of this critical child," she said.

The physical barriers create emotional challenges when treating terrified pediatric patients. "You're 5 years old, and these people walk in with what looks like a spacesuit. Of course you're going to scream!" she said.

To connect with a young patient, Narra performed Bollywood dance moves from the film Desi Boyz outside a window. Her family is from southern India. "And then, she was smiling, laughing and clapping," she said describing the patient's reaction. "I was like –- I don't even know these moves but I will make them up for you!"

A young mother died in the Ebola unit in Butembo soon after giving birth. The newborn baby lived for 10 days before succumbing to the virus. Narra helps train about a dozen doctors and nurses in Butembo on how to adjust care for pediatric and newborn patients.

She said the rapid transmission outpaces the ability to scale up response. "I know everyone is trying to scale up as fast as possible, but it's moving at a rapidity that never was the case," she said. "I don't know how this is going to slow down."

Narra worked as an epidemiologist during the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak. That outbreak killed 11,310 people and caused approximately 11,325 deaths and more than 28,600 cases. By late 2014, China had provided assistance valued at 750 million yuan to the West Africa Ebola response.

Narra was a pediatrician in an emergency department in Brooklyn when COVID-19 hit the United States in 2020. She also worked for Doctors Without Borders in Haiti.

Timeline

Dr. Narra was a pediatrician in an emergency department in Brooklyn when COVID-19 hit the United States in March 2020. There have been at least 6,800 confirmed cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo since May 2026. There have been more than 3,310 deaths from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo since May 2026.

What's New

The Ebola outbreak is spreading across six provinces in eastern Congo. The 2014-2016 West African Ebola outbreak caused approximately 11,325 deaths and more than 28,600 cases. More than 6,700 people had been infected and more than 3,200 had died by September 2026.

Why It Matters

The absence of an approved antiviral medication or vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain limits medical options to supportive care, resulting in high mortality rates among children and newborns. Children represent one in three deaths and make up one in four confirmed cases, while the virus is almost always fatal for newborns. The outbreak is concentrated in a conflict zone where clashes have displaced families into cities like Butembo, complicating containment efforts.

The World Health Organization projects the current outbreak will surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak, which killed over 11,300 people. With at least 6,800 confirmed cases and more than 3,310 deaths since May 2026, health authorities indicate the true scale may be three times higher. The cross-border spread to Uganda and the lack of conclusive evidence for existing vaccines present challenges to long-term containment.