Ebola Outbreak in Congo: Misleading Theories and Threat to Europe

This summer, an outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. A doctor returning from Congo arrived in France already ill, but the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control considers that there is no epidemic threat to Europe.

Ebola viruses are typically transmitted by bats. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, whose symptoms include fever, weakness, muscle pain, diarrhea, rash, and kidney and liver failure. In previous outbreaks, mortality rates reached 30–50%. No drugs or vaccines are available against Bundibugyo virus infection. The disease spreads through bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, and sweat, but only from symptomatic individuals.

Fact-checkers from Lithuania's Delfi.lt have identified several Facebook posts falsely claiming that health institutions linked to the World Health Organization accuse Bill Gates of spreading an artificial virus. Similar posts appeared in Russian. These myths likely stem from the fact that the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), co-founded by the Gates Foundation, allocated $60 billion for faster vaccine development against Bundibugyo. However, the funding was provided in June, when the outbreak had already been ongoing for weeks. The Gates Foundation funds CEPI but does not directly manage its operations. Similar unsubstantiated accusations were made against Gates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is no evidence to support the theory of a man-made virus. Re:Check found no health institution or scientist considering this possibility in academic journals. Accusations against pharmaceutical company Moderna for developing a vaccine before the outbreak are also unfounded, as the Bundibugyo virus was discovered in 2007 and vaccine research began immediately.

The real reason for attacks on treatment centers in Congo is related to traditional burial practices. Health authorities prohibit families from burying their dead themselves because bodies remain infectious for several days after death. Congolese doctor Babu Rukengeza explained to a US public broadcaster that funerals in the country are very important, lasting several days with numerous rituals, leading to anger over restrictions. Additionally, rumors spread that the outbreak is not real and that healthy people are being killed in the centers.

While misinformation about Ebola is not particularly popular in other countries, a few videos and posts with low view counts can be found on social media. It is difficult to predict whether this disinformation will reach Latvia, but it may go unnoticed as Latvian vaccine skeptics and conspiracy theorists remain occupied with COVID-19 and the hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch ship.