Source: CNN

For decades, the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been ravaged by recurring Ebola outbreaks, exposing the deep-rooted factors that continue to make the country vulnerable to the deadly virus. Now, health officials have identified several major contributors to the steady rise in infections and casualties, including bushmeat consumption, traditional burial customs, poverty and widespread misinformation.

The current outbreak, linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has already claimed the lives of more than 100 people and prompted the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, the Bundibugyo variant currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.

First identified in Congo in 1976, the virus has caused more recorded outbreaks there than in any other country. Several factors contribute to this, with the country's topography considered one of the most significant. Experts say Congo's vast rainforest regions continue to create ideal conditions for the virus to spread from animals to humans.

Another major factor is the continued consumption of bushmeat among local communities. For many impoverished Congolese, bushmeat — including primates, bats, reptiles and other wild animals — remains a major food source despite the risk of infection. In many rural communities across the Congo Basin, the practice continues despite repeated warnings from health officials.

Former Congolese health minister Eteni Longondo said stopping the practice is difficult because many residents depend on hunting for survival. He added that many communities also lack affordable alternatives to bushmeat, making public health campaigns harder to enforce.

Another reason for the rapid spread of infection is the persistence of long-standing funeral traditions involving physical contact with the dead. Health experts warn that Ebola spreads through bodily fluids, but local customs and the severe lack of sterilizing equipment mean burial rituals can become major sources of transmission during outbreaks.

Panic has also spread among residents in affected areas, fueled by rumors and superstition. Community workers say some people have turned to traditional beliefs, prayer or misinformation instead of seeking medical care, further slowing response efforts.

Finally, ongoing armed conflict in eastern Congo has made the crisis even more difficult to contain. Rebel activity has displaced millions of people, further increasing the risk of transmission while weakening an already fragile healthcare system. Cases have already been identified in major cities under rebel control, raising fears of wider regional spread.

Neighboring Uganda has also confirmed Ebola cases linked to travel from Congo, prompting heightened border screening and international concern. While the WHO said the risk of global spread remains relatively low, officials warned that the rapidly expanding outbreak remains a serious threat across the region.

Despite the challenges, Congo's health ministry remains hopeful that its years of experience battling the deadly virus will eventually lead to improved strategies for containing recurring outbreaks. A vaccine is also believed to be on the medical horizon, hopefully sooner rather than later. However, health experts warn that containment efforts could still take several months as authorities race to slow transmission.