WATCH | More pregnant women die in DRC as they avoid hospitals due to Ebola

Timeslive · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · Aug 03, 2026 · 942 words · By Associated Press

Public Health Misinformation Ebola Outbreak Maternal Health

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What to know about Public Health Misinformation

Esther Lutula stopped going for prenatal checkups shortly after the current Ebola outbreak was declared in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Claims checked 16

Techniques found 2

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left12%

Center76%

Right12%

8 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Esther Lutula stopped going for prenatal checkups shortly after the current Ebola outbreak was declared in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Why it matters

Midway into her pregnancy, the 26-year-old feared being put into isolation simply for having a fever, a common misconception.

Common ground

“That’s why I’m waiting until the disease is no longer widespread,” she said at her home in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province and epicentre of the outbreak declared on May 15.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Appeal to Fear: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Public Health Misinformation story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that Women in the vast central African nation have almost six children on average?
How does this story connect Public Health Misinformation with Ebola Outbreak over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2026-08-03-watch-more-pregnant-women-die…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Appeal to Fear 60% confidence

Building support by instilling anxiety or panic in the audience.

Why it matters: Recognizing appeal to fear helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 16 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 8

schedule Pending 6

info Single Source 2

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Claim 1: “Women in the vast central African nation have almost six children on average.”

SINGLE SOURCE

This claim is only mentioned in the Sowetan cross-reference and is not corroborated by any other provided evidence.

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cross reference SUPPORTS — Women in the vast central African nation have almost six children on average.
https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/africa/2026-08-03-watch-more-…

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Claim 2: “the outbreak declared on May 15”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent sources (France24, Sowetan, and Wikipedia) confirm the Ebola outbreak in Ituri province was declared on May 15 (or reported on May 14).

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — On 14 May 2026, an epidemic of Ebola was reported in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC and began only five months after the end…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Ebola_epidemic

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ebola, also known as Ebola virus disease (EVD) and Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), is a zoonotic viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and other primates, caused by four of the six known ebolaviruses. Symp…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebola

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ituri Province (French: Province de l'Ituri; Swahili: Mkoa wa Ituri) is one of the 26 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo created in the 2015 repartitioning. Ituri, Bas-Uele, Haut-Uele, …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ituri_Province

+ 2 more evidence sources

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Claim 3: “19,000 — Maternal deaths in Congo in 2023 (second globally).”

CORROBORATED

The figure of 19,000 maternal deaths in Congo in 2023 is reported by Sowetan and other web search results.

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web search NEUTRAL — Democratic Republic of Congo MMR 473 per 100,000 live births 2020.Haemorrhage remains the leading direct cause of maternal death globally, accounting for 27% of deaths in 2020.
https://gitnux.org/maternal-mortality-statistics/

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web search NEUTRAL — 1,600+ — Ebola deaths recorded in the current outbreak.180,000 — Annual maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (70% of the global total).19,000 — Maternal deaths in Congo in 2023 (second globally).
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2026-08-03-watch-mor…

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web search NEUTRAL — The outbreak has also strained Congo's healthcare system. Health facilities in affected provinces have diverted staff and supplies to Ebola response efforts, reducing access to maternal healthcare.
https://madhyamamonline.com/lifestyle/health/ebola-outbreak-…

+ 1 more evidence source

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Claim 4: “While there was an average of 3.1 maternal deaths weekly this year before the outbreak, that jumped to 5.8 deaths from May 25 to July 19.”

CORROBORATED

The specific statistics (3.1 deaths weekly jumping to 5.8 between May 25 and July 19) are reported by Sowetan, Sweden Herald, and other web search results.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Since December 2017, renewed war broke out between Lendu militias and Hema militias over land disputes in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The uptick in violence came after ten years …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ituri_war_(2017-present)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or MONUSCO (an acronym based on its French name Mission de l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour la Stabi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MONUSCO

+ 4 more evidence sources

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Claim 5: “This type of Ebola has no approved treatment or vaccine.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 6: “180,000 — Annual maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (70% of the global total).”

CORROBORATED

The figure of 180,000 annual maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa and the statistic that this represents 70% of the global total are corroborated by UN reports and other web search results.

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web search NEUTRAL — A NEW report by the Nations (UN) says 70 per cent of global maternal deaths occur in the Sub-Saharan Africa. The report also notes that a woman dies every two minutes globally during pregnancy or chil…
https://www.icirnigeria.org/70-of-global-maternal-deaths-occ…

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web search NEUTRAL — 180,000 — Annual maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (70% of the global total).19,000 — Maternal deaths in Congo in 2023 (second globally).At least 19,000 women died from pregnancy complications in …
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2026-08-03-watch-mor…

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web search NEUTRAL — Skilled birth attendance in sub-Saharan Africa rose from just 38% in 2000 to approximately 74% by 2023.1 Facility density has increased; user fees have been reduced or abolished in many countries; and…
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41697032/

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Claim 7: “60 ➔ 10 — Drop in monthly prenatal registrations at Bunia’s Bénédicte Clinic.”

CORROBORATED

The drop in prenatal registrations at Bénédicte Clinic from 60 to 10 is corroborated by Sowetan, Africanews, and other web search results citing Dr. Sonny Mwembo.

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web search NEUTRAL — At the Bénédicte Clinic in Bunia, the number of women registered for prenatal care has dropped from 60 each month to around 10, said Dr. Sonny Mwembo, the medical director.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/3/pregnant-wom…

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web search NEUTRAL — At the Bénédicte Clinic in Bunia, a major urban hub in Ituri Province, the drop-off was instantaneous. Monthly prenatal consultations plunged from an average of 60 down to just 10 within weeks of the …
https://softwhere.com.co/inside-shadow-epidemic-maternal-mor…

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web search NEUTRAL — At Bénédicte Clinic in Bunia, prenatal consultations have dropped dramatically. According to the clinic’s medical director, Dr. Sonny Mwembo, attendance has fallen from around 60 expectant mothers per…
https://www.africanews.com/2026/06/17/fear-of-ebola-keeps-pr…

+ 1 more evidence source

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Claim 8: “DRC battles the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record, with more than 1,600 confirmed deaths”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm the outbreak is the 'fastest growing' on record. While one source mentions 600 deaths, another specifically cites '1,600+' deaths in the current outbreak.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Kivu Ebola epidemic was an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) mainly in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and in other parts of Central Africa, from 2018 to 2020. Between 1 August…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kivu_Ebola_epidemic

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 9: “Pregnant women with Ebola are at an increased risk of problems including miscarriage, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said in its clinical guidance.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 10: “44 / 12 — Health worker deaths from Ebola / Attacks on health facilities since mid-May.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The specific figures (44 health worker deaths and 12 attacks) appear in one web search result summary but are not independently corroborated by other news organizations in the provided evidence.

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web search NEUTRAL — 2 days ago · The meaning of SINCE is from a definite past time until now. How to use since in a sentence.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/since

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web search NEUTRAL — We use since to refer back to a previous point in time. We use since as a preposition with a date, a time or a noun phrase: …
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/since

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web search NEUTRAL — Oct 21, 2025 · Understanding how to use the preposition “since” is crucial for constructing clear and accurate sentences in English. “Since” can function as both a preposition and a conjunction, indic…
https://grammarsolutionhub.com/sentence-examples-using-the-p…

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Claim 11: “At least 19,000 women died from pregnancy complications in DRC in 2023, according to the latest UN data, tied with India and second only to Nigeria globally.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 12: “It spreads in the human population through contact with bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen, and with contaminated surfaces and materials such as bedding and clothing.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 13: “Maternal mortality across Ituri soon doubled as news of the outbreak spread, with an average of about six women dying per week due to childbirth complications”

CORROBORATED

The claim that maternal deaths nearly doubled to approximately 6 per week is corroborated by the Sweden Herald and other web search results discussing the maternal mortality crisis in DRC.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo, and formerly named Zaire, is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is the second-la…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Republic_of_the_Con…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 14: “the deaths outside health centres have also jumped from 9.1% to 17.4% within the same period”

CORROBORATED

The increase in deaths outside health centers from 9.1% to 17.4% is explicitly confirmed by Sowetan, Sweden Herald, and other web search results.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — 2026 (MMXXVI) is the current year, and is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, the 2026th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 26th year of the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026

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+ 4 more evidence sources

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Claim 15: “At least 12 attacks have been recorded against health facilities and teams since the outbreak was declared in mid-May.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 16: “At least 44 health infected workers have died.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.