MONGBWALU — Daniel Kitambala, a 49-year-old subsistence farmer, was discharged from an Ebola treatment center after two negative tests confirmed he no longer carried the virus. He had spent approximately three weeks at the facility. Initial Ebola tests in the region yielded negative results because investigators were testing for different Ebola species instead of Bundibugyo.

Kitambala said he fell ill after visiting and praying for a sick community member. The Bundibugyo virus has killed approximately 20% of known infected individuals. After his discharge, Kitambala stated, "That disease is terrible. I was feeling very ill [when I came here]. But God is great, I am well now."

Richard Lukodu, the medical director of Mongbwalu hospital, said, "We have seen a difference in the community since the first patient recovered and returned home. More people are coming here now seeking treatment." He said, "The people here had been misled to believe that Ebola ended during previous outbreaks after they burned down the treatment centres." Ebola treatment centers were attacked and burned multiple times during the 2018-2020 outbreak in North Kivu province.

A tent used for Ebola patient treatment at Mongbwalu hospital was set on fire on 21 May. Five health workers have died from Ebola at Mongbwalu hospital, and several others infected with Ebola are currently admitted. Two days later, an Ebola treatment center in Rwampara was set on fire. The center has since reopened.

Local communities have attributed the spread of the disease to a belief in a coffin curse and have viewed treatment centers as harmful. Sesereki Mandro Israel, the mayor of Mongbwalu, said a family was transporting a body from Bunia for a local burial when the wooden coffin broke during transit. Community members attributed subsequent deaths to a local narrative following the burning of the broken coffin.

Mongbwalu hospital received a new laboratory approximately two weeks ago, which produces test results within one day. Previously, test results required over a week to return from Bunia. Kitambala stated, "People should seek treatment when they fall ill." Improved infection prevention protocols were implemented at the hospital after the outbreak was declared.