Ebola in DR Congo – There is no scientific evidence to prove that the Ebola virus was created “to exterminate the populations of eastern DRC”

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In a nutshell: there is no credible evidence to support the claim that the Ebola virus disease is a political fabrication. Health authorities in the DRC specify that the Bundibugyo strain is responsible for this seventeenth outbreak.

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Balobaki Check | Health

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05/24/2026

En bref

A post shared on the social media platform X claims that the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, ordered Congolese virologist Jean-Jacques Muyembe—who, according to the author of the post, comes from the same ethnic group as him—to “infiltrate” medical facilities in areas controlled by the AFC-M23 rebels in order to deposit “deadly bombs” there. The message also claims that the Ebola epidemic is a political fabrication targeting populations in the eastern part of the county, an area dominated by political and security conflicts. We have verified that these claims are false and are not supported by any evidence.

Since mid-May 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been facing a new Ebola outbreak in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. This epidemic, linked to the Bundibugyo strain, has been accompanied by a wave of misinformation, including the claim that is the subject of our fact-check.

Claim :

” EBOLA – FATSHI: PROFESSOR KASAÏEN @MUYEMBE RISES FROM HIS MEDICAL INCONSISTENCIES AND TAKES CHARGE OF THE EPIDEMIC MONITORING IN A TSHISEKEDI-LIKE MANNER. FÉLIX TSHISEKEDI PROMISED HIM LARGE SUMS OF MONEY IF HE MANAGED TO INFILTRATE ALL MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THE TERRITORY LIBERATED BY THE AFC-M23 TO PLACE BOMBS AND DEADLY DEVICES THERE. THIS EPIDEMIC IS A FABRICATION BY FÉLIX TSHISEKEDI IN AN ATTEMPT TO INFLICT DEADLY PUNISHMENT ON THE CONGOLESE POPULATION IN THE EASTERN PROVINCES”,

French version : https://archive.ph/9yale

Screenshot taken on May 23 by BALOBAKI CHECK

The facts:

The author of the message provides no concrete evidence—such as documents, audio recordings, or videos—to support this alleged “invention” of Ebola. The lack of verifiable evidence has reinforced our doubts about the credibility of these claims.

To verify this information, we cross-checked several reliable sources. Media outlets such as France 24, Radio Okapi, and BBC confirm that the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus is the cause of this new outbreak. These sources also document the actions taken by Congolese authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) to contain the disease.

During a media appearance on May 19, 2026, Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, one of the discoverers of Ebola, identified the responsible strain as Bundibugyo, a variant genetically distinct from previous Ebola outbreaks.

According to the WHO, certain animal species, notably bats, serve as the virus’s natural reservoir. There is therefore no scientific evidence to support the theory that the virus was created by humans.

Read also :

Ebola in DRC: The Virus in the mirror of myths and misinformation

Why are these rumors dangerous?

During previous Ebola outbreaks in eastern DRC, the WHO and several researchers documented the circulation of rumors accusing certain authorities or communities of “inventing” the disease. These narratives have sometimes led to attacks on treatment centers, violence against health workers, refusals of care and vaccination, as well as increased community mistrust.

Contacted by Balobaki Check on May 21, 2026, Dr. Dénon Tshienda, a public health expert, warns against narratives that deny the existence of Ebola or portray the disease as a political fabrication.

“This is a false rumor and a real trap. The consequences could be enormous, as communities risk becoming reluctant to engage in the fight against the disease. This could facilitate the continued spread of the virus and lead to more deaths,” he explains.

The doctor notes that the Bundibugyo strain currently being reported is causing serious concern, particularly due to the lack of a vaccine and specific treatment.

“Refusing to follow preventive measures on the pretext that the virus was invented for political purposes is extremely dangerous. It could lead to the deaths of many people,” he warns.

A Call for Individual Responsibility

“If a father dies, no politician will come to take care of his family. We must therefore be very careful. Everyone must protect themselves, regardless of how they interpret the situation. One thing is certain: the disease is real and it kills many people. The fatality rate can reach nearly 50%, or one in two patients,” emphasizes Dr. Dénon Tshienda.

Another health expert contacted by BALOBAKI CHECK, Serge Cikuru, chief medical officer of the Miti health zone, also calls on the public to strictly adhere to preventive measures: regular handwashing, avoiding contact with corpses or dead animals, limiting handshakes, and avoiding self-medication.

In conclusion, the accusations relayed by this internet user alleging that

“PROFESSOR KASAÏEN @MUYEMBE IS RISEING FROM HIS MEDICAL INCONSISTENCIES AND IS TISEKEDIANLY TAKING OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE EPIDEMIC. FÉLIX TSHISEKEDI PROMISED HIM LARGE SUMS OF MONEY IF HE MANAGED TO INFILTRATE ALL MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THE TERRITORY LIBERATED BY THE AFC-M23 TO PLACE BOMBS AND DEADLY DEVICES THERE. “THIS EPIDEMIC IS AN INVENTION BY FÉLIX TSHISEKEDI IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEADLY PUNISH THE CONGOLESE POPULATION IN THE EASTERN PROVINCES ” are not based on any concrete evidence and are also alleged to spread tribal hate speech. At a time when the DRC is experiencing its seventeenth Ebola outbreak, such claims are likely to further fuel tensions and mistrust within communities. However, Article 66 of theConstitution of the DRC calls on every citizen to promote national unity, mutual respect, and national cohesion.

Writing by : RICHARD MIVIRI ; Editing and translate by : Ange K. Adihe