IOM warns that transporting Ebola victims' bodies within DRC heightens spread risk

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) cautioned that moving the bodies of people who died from Ebola across provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) creates a serious risk of further virus transmission. As of 14 July, more than 2,000 Ebola cases and roughly 700 deaths have been recorded in the DRC and neighbouring Uganda, with about two‑thirds of the fatalities occurring outside clinics or hospitals. The outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo strain, which remains highly infectious after death, making safe burial practices essential. Families often seek to bury relatives in their home villages, prompting inter‑province transport of corpses; no cross‑border transfers have been reported. IOM’s Andrew Mbala warned, “If we do not treat the bodies properly and engage the local community, the virus will spread more widely.” The agency stresses that improper handling could spark new clusters in previously unaffected areas.