GENEVA: Volunteers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are going door-to-door to address misinformation about Ebola in areas affected by the outbreak, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said Friday.

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists. The World Health Organization declared it an international health emergency last Sunday.

In Mongbwalu, the outbreak’s epicenter, IFRC teams are working with local communities to explain protective measures and when to seek medical care. Gabriela Arenas, Regional Operations Coordinator for IFRC Africa, said reactions are mixed, with some residents taking precautions while others remain skeptical, believing the outbreak is fabricated.

Tensions have emerged after protesters set fire to tents for Ebola patients, following authorities’ refusal to release the body of a local footballer suspected to have died from Ebola. The family disputed the cause of death and wanted to bury him themselves.

Arenas stressed that unsafe burials, where family members handle infected bodies without protective equipment, are a major driver of Ebola transmission. She highlighted that community trust and engagement are central to controlling outbreaks and countering rumors fueled by fear and lack of reliable information.