By Woody Collins, Congo Helping Hands
Things were almost back to normal in Congo after last fall’s Ebola outbreak. Yet, as I prepare to depart for Congo this week, ANOTHER Ebola outbreak is blazing in northeastern Congo in the Ituri Province. But it’s a different strain of the Ebola virus disease this time, and there is no vaccine available. As of May 19, 2026, 543 suspected cases and at least 131 deaths have been reported.
As a result, only US passport holders are being allowed to enter the US from the affected area. That’s of interest, even if I will be thousands of miles away. But Congo is a vast low-income country with poor to nonexistent inter-country transportation options.
I’m still scheduled to depart Saturday for Congo. Please pray for a safe and uneventful trip for me. AND MY SCHEDULED RETURN IN TWO WEEKS.
