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Gold miners in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have continued working despite a deadly Ebola outbreak, saying they have no choice but to provide for their families.
The DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak was declared on May 15 after several unexplained deaths were reported in Mongbwalu, a gold-mining town in Ituri Province.
Since then, the outbreak has killed more than 250 people and infected over 1,000 across the country.
In Mongbwalu alone, official figures say a total of 209 people have been infected, and 89 have died.
Despite warnings from health authorities, many miners say their work makes it difficult to follow safety measures.
Mongbwalu’s gold mines remain busy, with men and women working side by side in difficult conditions to extract gold from the ground.
Many miners travel from other parts of the country and neighbouring Uganda in search of income, increasing the risk of spreading the virus.
Health officials say population movement has contributed to the outbreak.
Ebola spreads through close contact with infected people or bodily fluids.
Some residents have adopted basic precautions such as regular handwashing and reducing close contact.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
However, mistrust of health authorities remains a challenge, with many people preferring traditional healers to hospitals.
Despite the health crisis, mining activities and gold trading continue as global gold prices remain high, with many residents relying on the industry for survival.
