Saturday, May 30, 2026-The Democratic Republic of Congo has ruled out closing schools despite an ongoing Ebola outbreak that has already claimed multiple lives, including at least five schoolchildren in the northeastern Ituri province. 

Health authorities say education will continue with reinforced preventive measures, even as the country battles a rapidly spreading outbreak that has placed significant pressure on local health systems. Officials argue that shutting schools would create additional social disruption without effectively stopping transmission.

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba emphasized that the government’s approach focuses on prevention inside schools rather than closure. Measures include increased hygiene protocols, early detection of symptoms, and rapid referral of suspected cases to health facilities. 

Authorities have also warned against self-medication, which has been linked to delays in treatment and worsened outcomes in affected communities. The strategy reflects an effort to balance public health protection with keeping essential services like education running.

The decision comes as the Ebola outbreak continues to escalate across multiple provinces, with hundreds of suspected cases reported and international health agencies closely monitoring the situation. 

The World Health Organization has described the outbreak as a serious public health emergency, urging stronger containment measures and community cooperation. 

As the response intensifies, officials face mounting pressure to contain infections while avoiding widespread disruption to daily life, especially for children whose schooling has already been heavily affected by conflict and instability.