How mistrust and war are fueling a deadly Ebola outbreak

An escalating Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is being exacerbated by deep-seated mistrust and persistent conflict, hindering the efforts of health workers. In the epicenter of the crisis, aid worker Jean Marie Lipe faces the challenge of convincing locals, like Grandmother Passy Nzali, that the virus is real.

Many Congolese people remain skeptical, attributing the deadly virus to mystical curses or even Western conspiracies. This disbelief significantly complicates the work of those trying to contain the spread. The total number of confirmed cases has surged past 800 since the outbreak was declared on May 15. Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, issued a stark warning: "If we don't stop this outbreak very soon, it will be even worse than what we had in West Africa."

The devastating Ebola crisis in West Africa from 2014 to 2016 resulted in over 11,000 deaths and more than 23,000 infections. The current situation in Congo is compounded by the displacement of tens of thousands of people fleeing conflict. Camps housing these internally displaced persons, such as the one near the Congo-Uganda border, are densely populated, creating ideal conditions for the rapid transmission of infectious diseases like Ebola.

Neighboring Uganda is also on high alert. CBS News visited a quarantine site for refugees arriving from Congo, where James Peter was undergoing a 21-day isolation. He fled Goma after an attack by anti-government forces and crossed the border into Uganda. His journey highlights the challenges faced by health professionals, as the ease of crossing international borders complicates efforts to track and control the virus's spread among vulnerable populations.

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If we don't stop this outbreak very soon, it will be even worse than what we had in West Africa.