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The Democratic Republic of Congo is navigating what health monitors describe as
The Democratic Republic of Congo is navigating what health monitors describe as its most serious recorded Ebola outbreak. Since the virus was detected in May 2026, official figures reported more than six thousand confirmed cases and nearly three thousand deaths as of the end of August, surpassing the previous worst outbreak from 2018–2020. The epicentre is Ituri province in the northeast. When a new school year began in September, teachers' unions in affected areas called for classes to be delayed; the government pressed ahead with a tiered approach. Schools in the highest-risk zones shifted to remote learning, while others reopened with temperature checks, handwashing stations, and reduced class sizes. UNICEF said it was supporting prevention efforts in schools. The outbreak has spread across six provinces, leaving families and local authorities weighing children's right to education against a continuing health emergency. Should schools stay open with protective measures during a disease outbreak, or close until the risk has clearly passed?